- SURNAME
Challenor
- FORENAME
Harold Gordon (Tanky)
- UNIT
2 SAS (C Squadron)
- RANK
Lance Corporal
- NUMBER
7406037
- AWARD
Military Medal
- PLACE
Normandy 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Army Air Corps
former Royal Army Medical Corps
born 16.3.1922 Bradley,Staffordshire
resided London
son of Tom Challenor
employed,barber's shop,Watford
employed,nurse at a mental hospital
Army 1941 (RAMC)
former 62 Commando (Small Scale Raiding Force)
2 SAS (A Sqdn + C Sqdn) 1943-45 (L/Cpl + Sgt)
POW December 1943 - escaped
foundry worker
Metropolitan Police 1951-64
solicitor's clerk,Norbury
co-author "Tanky Challenor,SAS and the Met" (1990)
married Doris Broome 1944 (1 adopted son)
died September 2008
IMAGES:
CITATION:
Military Medal : This N.C.O. was dropped by parachute near Borgo val di Taro, north of Spezia, on the 7th Sept 43. The total detachment consisted of 2 officers and 4 O.R's. After landing the detachment split, L/Cpl. Challenor accompanying one officer. This small detachment succeeded in derailing two trains on the Spezia - Parma line on night 14th of September at a point north of Pontremoli. Again on night 18th September a third train was derailed south of Villafranca. Having no further explosives the detachment started to return to our own lines. During this time the enemy were continually searching for escaped P.W. and on 27 December the officer 20 Jun. was captured. L/Cpl. Challenor continued southwards alone; he was captured north of Chieti but succeeded in escaping later from Aquila P.W. camp. He continued south and on 5 April 44 was again captured while attempting to pass through the enemy lines; on the 7th of April he again escaped and reached our lines.
Throughout the seven months spent behind the enemy lines this N.C.O. displayed the highest courage and determination.
Throughout the seven months spent behind the enemy lines this N.C.O. displayed the highest courage and determination.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7406396NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7406396
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