Personal Details
Born in Whitchurch in 1896, the third son of William and Elizabeth Challenor of 28 Claypit Street, Whitchurch.
Frank enlisted in August 1914, landing in France with the 5th battalion in May 1915. In February 1918 the battalion was disbanded with the men being distributed between the 1st, 1/4th, 6th and 7th battalions of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
Frank was the brother of George Fallous Challenor, who also lost his life in the Great War.
Military Details
Regiment : 1/4th (Territorial) Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, formerly 5th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank : Private
Service Number : 11462
Died of Wounds; France (Prisoner of War) 31st August 1918 Age 22
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
Report in the Whitchurch Herald 15th February 1919 relating to the death of Frank Challenor
"Mr W Challenor, 28 Claypit Street has received the sad news of the death of his son Private Frank Challenor, 1/4th Kings Shropshire Light Infantry who was a prisoner of war. His death occurred on the 30th August 1918 in a War Hospital at Remushill, after being a prisoner for 9 months"
Whitchurch Herald 15th February 1919
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Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives