Ernest Charles Challis

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler Silver King, Ernest died on 21st of January 1919 at the age of 18. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 16 February 1900, a son of Ernest Charles and Clara Selina Challis. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 18 March 1900 and his family lived at 24 Southwell Road. In 1901 they lived at Jarvis Buildings, Carlton Colville, and in 1911 at 43 Southwell Road. Later Ernest’s parents lived at 7 Lovewell Road. 

Ernest joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 May 1918. Note that his service register entry gives his year of birth as 1890, and his first name as Charles. Initially he served at the Reserve Depot, Portsmouth, then, on 22 July 1918, he joined the trawler Shikari. From 24 August 1918 he served with the trawler Glory II and later, probably on 27 August 1918, he joined the trawler Silver King, which was assigned to the depot ship H.M.S. Wallington. 

Ernest was admitted to the Naval Sick Quarters, Immingham, where he died from pyaemia, a form of blood poisoning.