Rifleman Charles Frederick Wallis was born on 30 December 1891 at 'Rembrandt Lodge', Spencer Road, Croydon, Surrey, one of the five children of Walter Wallis (b.1854) and Louise Wallis (b.1859). He was baptised on 16 October 1892 at St John's Church, Croydon, and the baptismal register confirms that the family were still residing at 'Rembrandt Lodge' and that his father was an artist.
In the 1901 census he is shown as living at 20 Spencer Road, Croydon, with his parents, three siblings: Elsie Dora Wallis (1884-1948), Walter Cyril Wallis (1890-1974), and Constance Louise Wallis (1896-1984), his paternal grandmother Fanny Wallis née Tortoiseshell (b.1821), his maternal great aunt Marie Louise Lodge née Bor (1825-1902), together with a cook. His father was shown as professor of drawing and painting.
He was educated at Elmhurst School, Croydon, the Croydon School of Art and Royal Academy Schools London. The 1911 census shows him as an art student still living at 20 Spencer Road, Croydon, with his parents, the same three siblings and a cook. His father was recorded as the principle art master at the Croydon School of Art. His elder sister was shown as an art teacher at a private school whilst his brother was also listed as an art student.
In November 1915 he enlisted as a Rifleman in the 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, (Artists' Rifles), service number 5456, (as can be seen by the cap badge in our picture source image). He was transferred as a Rifleman into the 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles), service number 393062, and was killed in action, aged 26 years, on 29 August 1918. As he has no known grave he is listed on Stone 70.B., Panel 10 of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, 1 Route Nationale, Haucourt, France.
By 22 March 1919 his father had received his army effects totalling £14-6s-11d and on 20 December 1919 he was sent his £13-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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