Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Challis George David

Born 9^th February 1891 Cleveland Tasmania to Michael Charles and Margaret Challis (nee McGregor) he was a clerk in the audit department of Vic Railways who embarked Melbourne 27^th October 1915 on board “HMAT Ulysses” with the 23^rd Infantry Battalion.

He was also an Australian Rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League. He was a well known wingman who starred in Carlton’s 1915 premiership win.

Sgt Challis was serving with the 58^th Battalion when he was killed in action 15^th July 1916 at Armentieres when a heavy caliber German shell dropped into his trench killing him instantly. He is commemorated in the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.

All who take an interest in football will read with regret that Sergeant Geo Challis has been killed in France. The deceased soldier was an old Launceston High School boy but some two or three years ago he went to Melbourne where he played football for a couple of seasons with Carlton, and on his day his dash and brilliance was equal to the best. When the war first broke out Challis volunteered his services but was rejected on account of an injured toe. Challis, however, was not the type to stay at home when men were wanted and he persisted in his efforts to get to the front and was afterwards accepted. Challis was a fine footballer with great pace as well as cleverness and determination and at his best he played a dazzling game on the forward line. A few seasons back, when he and Stan McKenzie were both playing for Launceston and for Northern Tasmania, they used to combine and when the former shot the ball out from the centre Challis was generally down on it with an irresistible swoop from about the half forward line and it was invariably well placed forward. Now these both great footballers and companions, two of the most brilliant and fairest players Tasmania has produced of late years – have played their last “big game” on the battlefields of Europe. Challis represented Northern Tasmania in many games and he was also one of the Tasmanian team that took part in the interstate carnival at Adelaide where he greatly distinguished himself and was awarded a gold medal for being the most consistent player in the Tasmanian team.

The Weekly Courier 24^th August 1916

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.