CHALLONER, William

William Challoner was the son of Alfred and Alice Challoner of 19 Saltbrook Road, Lye. He enlisted, probably in 1917, and was sent to the 1/5th Devons in the 62nd Division. In the 1918 German Spring offensive on the Somme the Division suffered severely in the retreat to Amiens. It moved to the Aisne sector after the last German offensive in June and then co-operated with the French army in what was the first successful Allied attack on the enemy since the end of 1917. It was the turning point for the German army and was followed by the unbroken success of the Advance to Victory from August 1918. The Anglo-French attack of the 28th July was aimed at the Montagne de Bligny where the 3rd and 10th Worcesters had put up such a fight in May and the German troops were forced to retire. There were few casualties but Private Titus Challoner was killed in action on this day. He was 19 years of age and is buried in Chambrecy Military Cemetery (IV B 53) and commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote and the Lye church Memorials. His brother, John, also served and was killed in 1917.