ALBERT CLIFFORD CHALLIS

In terms of his education, Albert went to York Street Public School in 1932. Then he attended Lisgar from September 1933 until May 1936, when he left to pursue his studies at Business College. From 1936 to 1939, he served as a signalman in the third division of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in Ottawa. Albert trained primarily in Ottawa but he received annual training in Toronto and Montreal, as well as a few other places in Ontario. He may have chosen to enlist in the middle of the Depression as joining the military would provide a steady income and housing.  After that, from April 1939 to June 1940, he worked as a junior clerk in the Drawbacks Branch of the Department of National Revenue. On December 19, 1940, he enlisted in the RCAF in Ottawa and started training as an air gunner. Although he faced challenges passing both air and ground training, his discipline and dedication allowed him to raise his test scores from 30’s to 60’s in a short amount of time.  After successfully passing his tests , he earned the rank of  Flight Sergeant in the 425 Squadron of the  Royal Canadian Air Force.

Tragically, he was 22 years old when he died on October 5, 1942 overseas in Finchingfield, Essex. At the time both of his parents,  Edith Lilian and Albert Edward,  a gardener, were still alive. Albert was buried in Saffron Walden Cemetery located in Essex, United Kingdom, in compartment 39, grave 14. 

Through his short life,  Alfred never married as he kept focused on his education and military training. He identified as an Anglican and he displayed general good conduct as a serving in the army, although he was disciplined for failing to obey orders while in training.  Lieutenant O'Leary highly recommended him because of his good character and abilities, which included quick reactions, courtesy and his eagerness to serve and train; he was the type of man you would want in service. He was known for his honesty, bright personality and pleasing attitude.  Albert was confident, mature, organized and accurate. He enjoyed staying active and participating in sports such as skating, tennis, paddling, softball. 

Primary Source Documents : https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2427135 

'If we do preserve it, we honour them, and when we in our turn pass on, we will know that behind us lives a generation of free men and of free women to be the keepers of this great heritage of ours - Canada.'

- Ian A. McPhee, former student at GCI, 1937.