Ernest was born in Burslem, Staffordshire in 1896, his birth being registered at Wolstanton in the second quarter of 1896. His parents were Samuel Challinor born Burslem c1862, his mother Emily nee Newark born Smallthorne, Staffordshire 28 April 1864. Samuel and Emily were married at Cobridge, Christ Church, Staffordshire on the 8th June 1885.

The 1891 census shows Samuel (29) working as a Potters Printer, Emily (26) and son Samuel (2) born 10th March 1889, Burslem living at 62 Slater Street, Burslem, also living with them was Emily's mother Elizabeth Newark (63) Widowed.  

The 1901 census shows Ernest, aged 5, living with his family Samuel (39) Potters Printer, Emily (36), Samuel (12), Emily (9) born c1891, Lillian (7) born 6.09.1893, and Edwin R. born 1898 (2) at 76 Dartmouth Street, Burslem. Also present is Ernest's grandmother Elizabeth Newark aged 74.

The 1911 census tells us the Challinor family are well connected to the pottery trade. Ernest, now a 15 year old, living with his family at 48 Liverpool Road, Burslem. Ernest is described as a Pottery Turner. His father Samuel (49) remains a Potters Printer, mother Emily (46) his brother Samuel (22) a Potters Hollow Ware Presser, his sister Emily (19) a Potters Enameler, Lillian (17) a Potters Enameler and Edwin Reginald (12) is at school. The census also tells us that Samuel and Emily have been married 25 years and have had 6 children 1 of which has died. Grandmother Elizabeth Newark died in 1908. 

MILITARY SERVICE.

Ernest's WW1 service papers show us that he enlisted on the 8th September 1914, aged 19 years and 189 days, his height 5’ 7” weight 114 pounds, his chest measurement 32 ½ inches, complexion fair and hair colour described as Sandy. He first entered France on the 8th July 1915. 

From a newspaper article in the Staffordshire Sentinel we know that Ernest was wounded on the 5th March 1916. The war diary for that date shows us that the battalion were in trenches at Riez Bailleul, France, close to the border with Belgium. During the period 3rd March-7th March 1916 there was a skirmish between the British and Germans firing tit for tat grenades at each other’s positions. We are told that during this period one officer was wounded, 2 other ranks were killed and 10 other ranks were wounded.

On the 11th March 1916 Ernest died of wounds, he had been taken to a casualty clearing station at Merville where he succumbed to his wounds and was buried in the Merville Communal Cemetery, France, grave ref V1. O. 4.

The WW1 Soldiers Effects register shows he died at the ‘No Lon’ Casualty Clearing Station, which would support the suggestion he died of wounds.

WW1 pension cards show Ernest's date of birth to be 1895, his next of kin his mother Emily Challinor and his/her home address to be 46 Liverpool Road, Burslem.

For his service he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His death is reported in the Staffordshire Sentinel dated 5th April 1916. On March 11th from wounds Pte Ernest Challinor NS Regiment, second son of Mr and Mrs S Challinor of 46 Liverpool Road Burslem aged 20 years died doing his duty deeply mourned by Father, Mother, Emmie, Lily, Reg and brother Sam in U.S.A. A memorial service will be held at Hill Top Chapel on Sunday April 9th evening service. 

Another Sentinel Newspaper post dated 9th April also informs us that prior to enlistment he was employed by Royal Doulton Ltd, Burslem as a Potters Turner.

His mother is recorded as receiving a Gratuity of an undeclared amount on the 20th October 1916. 

There is a letter within the service records of Ernest Challinor dated 8.7.1916 

I forwarded the undermentioned articles, the property of the late No 13670 Pte Ernest Challinor 8th North Staffordshire Regt to you on 19.6.1916. I would ask that you will kindly acknowledge the receipt hereon by return of proof. 1 watch, 1 key, 1 ring, 1 button, 1 cigarette holder, 1 knife, 1 pipe lighter, 1 purse, 1 gospel, 1 diary, 1 cord chain, 1 belt, photos and letters. 

Yours Faithfully   

He is mentioned on the Royal Doulton Roll Of Men Who Served 1914 and he is remembered on the Burslem Royal Doulton Kilngate War Memorial. 

His brother, Edwin Reginald Challinor born 28.08.1898, also served during WW1 as Private 6/11085 13th Training Reserve Battalion but on mobilisation on the 16th February 1917 he was renumbered 237936 and posted to the Royal Engineers Signals Company where he became a Sapper, Field Lineman and Telegraph Operator. His service papers show us he had enlisted on the 31st August 1916. His given trade on enlistment was Apprentice Armature Winder living at 46 Liverpool Road, Burslem. He appears to have served in the Mediterranean theatre and survived the war being transferred to the reserves on the 16th February 1920. He earned the British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

From Newspaper reports we see that Ernest's brother Samuel Challinor had emigrated to the U.S.A. prior to Ernest's death. In fact he emigrated April 17th 1912 sailing from Liverpool he lived from 1912 to 1921 in Ohio West Virginia, Indiana and California, he became naturalised as a citizen of the United States 13th December 1918.  

Registration records exist that show that on June 5th 1917 Samuel was living in Evansville Indiana US his trade being Potter at Helfrich Pottery Co, which was a Pottery manufacturer based in Evansville Indiana. He was described as single with no dependents, Caucasian, Tall, slender, blue eyes and black hair with no disabilities. It also states he had no military service history at this point. There are records of Samual enlisting with the United States of America on the 29th March 1918, serving until 10 March 1920.  

In November 1921 he travelled to visit family in Burslem. 

Again in June 1926 Samuel (37) travelled with his wife Eveline (33) and daughter also Eveline (1) all classed as US citizens. Samuels trade Potter. Samuel married Eveline née Sidley (born 5 June 1892 Stoke on Trent) on September 12 1923 in Oakland California. Eveline had emigrated to the US on May 1 1912 and was nationalised on 13 December 1918. 

Further registration records dated 26.04.1942 show Samuel now aged 53 years old, 5’10” 159 pounds, ruddy complexion, blue eyes and grey hair with a scar on the back of his neck. His address now being 6100 Fresno Street, San Pablo, Richmond, California. U.S. His employer was CertainTeed which was a major national manufacturer of building materials and in 1942 was heavily involved in war production and involved in national defence.       

Records show Samuel Challinor died 21st March 1973 Richmond, California he is buried at Rolling Hills Memorial Park Richmond California.   

The census of 1921 shows Emily (57) widowed as head of the family, living with Emily (30) single, a Pottery Gilder and Edwin Reginald (22) single working as a Printers Mixer. Still living at 46 Liverpool Road, Upton Place, Burslem. 

The Register of 1939 shows Emily Challinor (75) and Edwin Challinor (41) working as a Potter Machine Printer,  living at 2 Cliffe Place, Tunstall Stoke on Trent. 

Emily Challinor died in 1942 Stoke on Trent.

Edwin Reginald Challinor married Elsie Maud Smith in Bournemouth 1953.

Edwin Reginald Challinor died 20th January 1967 aged 68. 

The 1939 register shows Lillian Challinor having married Ernest Clayton a Porcelain Placer on the 19th November 1916 living at 37 St Edmunds Avenue Newcastle Under Lyme with their son Harold E Clayton (31.06.21)  

Sources: 

Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 2163; Folio: 93; Page: 11; GSU roll: 6097273

FreeBMD. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

1901 census: Class: RG13; Piece: 2594; Folio: 47; Page: 31

The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911

The National Archives; London, England, UK; War Office: Soldiers' Documents, First World War Wo363

National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 277001-278500; Reference: 137 

Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 041/0166/Cha-Cha

Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 702/06d

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000347/19160405/091/0004?noTouch=true 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/538689/ernest-challinor/ 

The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12617, ED 3, Sch 52; Book: 12617

The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5281J

Samuel Challinor : Fold3, US, Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/848/us-veterans-affairs-birls-death-file-1850-2010 : accessed 20 Feb 2026), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/publication/848/us-veterans-affairs-birls-death-file-1850-2010 

Samuel Challinor: Fold3, US, Social Security Death Index (https://www.fold3.com/publication/830/us-social-security-death-index : accessed 20 Feb 2026), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/publication/830/us-social-security-death-index 

Samuel Challinor Fold3, US, Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration, 1942 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/765/us-wwii-old-mans-draft-registration-cards-1942 : accessed 20 Feb 2026), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/publication/765/us-wwii-old-mans-draft-registration-cards-1942

Samuel Challinor Fold3, US, WWI, Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/959/us-wwi-draft-registration-cards-1917-1918 : accessed 20 Feb 2026), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/publication/959/us-wwi-draft-registration-cards-1917-1918 

Edwin death: Staffordshire County Council; Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England; Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths for the County of Staffordshire; Reference Number: Cc/10a/62 

Edwin probate: Birmingham Archives; Birmingham, England; England and Wales Probate Calendar; Reference: 1967C

Edwin service records: The National Archives; London, England, UK; War Office: Soldiers' Documents, First World War Wo363

Edwin marriage: General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 326

Lillian Challinor: General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 146

Lillian Challinor The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5404A.