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321709 Private Victor George Challenor "Monty"

321709 Private Victor George Challoner was born on 16th May 1919.

He enlisted into the R.A.C. on 08/11/1938.

Parachute Battalion Course 57 1-11 August 1944 Ramat David
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In 1943 he transferred to the 11th Parachute Battalion and successfully completed Parachute Battalion Course 57 between 1st and 11th August 1944, held at Ramat David. Monty served with The Mortar Platoon of the 11th Parachute Battalion at the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

T and E Book 12-58 Victor George Challenor
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He transferred back to the R.A.C. 01/09/1945, as detailed in his Para T & E Book entry (Book 12-58).

Following the war he settled in Leicester and at the time of being awarded his medals on 23rd February 1950 was living at 8 Frolesworth Road, New Parks, Leicester. In early 1950 Monty married Gladys M Beeson in Leicester.

Leicester Mercury Wednesday May 30 1951 Page 7
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On May 30th May 1951, Monty experienced something that may have caused him more upset than his war experiences; his 5 year old son, also named Victor, was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary after falling and hurting his elbow in the road.

Victor George Challenor Obituary Notice
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Monty died on 24th August 2012 and his funeral service was held on 13th September 2012 at Gilroes Crematorium, Groby Road, Leicester, just a short distance from his former home.




We are still researching the life of Private Challoner. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.




It would not have been possible to show the information contained on this page without the work of the following: Mr R.P “Bob” Hilton; Diana Andrews; Allan Brown; Andrew Blacklock: all of the staff at The Parachute Regiment & Airborne Forces Museum Aldershot; Gerrit Pijpers OBE; John Howes; and Graham Francis.
Additional genealogical data have been researched and provided by Doctor Jan Larder-Davis, primarily using the following sources: www.ancestry.co.uk and; www.findmypast.com