About the product

Father and 3 Sons Family Group, 2 KIA during WW1

Emotive family group of the Challen Family, a Father who was a Naval Bandsman and his 3 sons who all served in the war, 2 did not return home after the war being Killed in Action.

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SKU: J6396 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Description

Emotive family group of the Challen Family, a Father who was a Naval Bandsman and his 3 sons who all served in WW1, 2 did not return home after the war.

 

Father:
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, VR, John Challen, Bandsman, HMS Royal Adelaide.

 

John Napper Challen was born on 1st January 1853 in Chichester Sussex, named after his father John Challen born 1810 who was an Army Pensioner of the 12th Foot.

 

Like his father he first served for 10 years 217 days in the army, before being discharged and joining the Royal Navy as a D.3.C. on 21st April 1881 onboard HMS Royal Adelaide, on 2nd July 1881 he became a Bandsman at Royal Adelaide until 31st December 1889, finishing his service as a Bandsman at HMS Vivid I from 1st January 1890 until 13th March 1892.

 

He had unusually earned his Long Service Medal from his combined service time on 31st January 1884.

 

He later died during 1935.

 

Oldest serving son:
1914 Star with 5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914 Clasp, British War and Victory Medal, Acting Sergeant William Thomas Challen, 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

 

Entered into France with the first contingent of soldiers on 12th August 1914, being killed in action only 3 months later on 8th November 1914 at Veldhoek.

 

Middle Son:

 

1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medal, 846 and 476074 Sapper Robert Challen, Royal Engineers, who was born during 1896, he entered the war into Egypt on 25th April 1915, being the only son to live to be demobilised on 9th February 1919.

 

Youngest Son:

 

British War and Victory Medal Pair, 12856 Private Stephen Henry Challen, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was the youngest son, born during 1898, as soon as he was of age about 17, he enlisted and entered the war in France on 25th September 1915, he reached Lance Corporal before being Killed on the Somme on 10th July 1916. He is additionally entitled to a 1914-15 Star, which is shown as Re-issued at some point on this MIC so possibly lost.