Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

No.12 Platoon, "C" Company, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the night 3/4 April 1945, Lincoln and Welland Regiment was ordered to attack and seize a bridgehead on the North side of the Twente Canal near Delden, Holland. C Coy was on the right with No.12 Platoon detailed to seize the initial foothold and establish a firm base for the balance of the coy to pass through. During the crossing, the platoon sergeant, who was in command, was severely wounded and the depleted platoon eventually found themselves on the far side of the canal, without leadership and under intense small arms and machine gun fire. Acting on his own initiative Private Challice assumed and organized his small group to defend a house which was the key point of the platoon position. The enemy immediately launched a vigorous counter-attack and in the early stages Private Challice suffered a broken right arm from enemy small arms fire. Despite the intense pain this soldier re-sited the remainder of his men, slung a Bren gun over his left shoulder and, with other wounded changing and loading magazines for him took up a fire position on the left of the house. In this manner he fought off the counter-attack almost single-handed, killing five of the enemy 50 feet from the window and wounding many more, thereby disorganizing the enemy and holding the bridgehead for the remainder of his coy top pass through. The immediate attack over, he assisted in the bandaging and evacuation of the wounded as best he could until he finally collapsed from exhaustion and shock and was himself removed to the RAP. By his initiative in assuming responsibility far beyond the call of duty, his disregard of great personal pain, and his refusal to attend to his own safety, Private Challice accounted for five of the enemy and inspired his men to successfully withstand every attempt by the enemy to cut off his coy. His courage was a magnificent example to all who saw him, and had a profound effect on the success of the action.