Alfred Chalke

After leaving school, Alfred Chalke joined the Post Office as a messenger but later transferred to the Inland Revenue in 1903, and spent most of his working life as a Civil Servant. Like many young men at the turn of the 20th century, Chalke joined the Army and signed up with the 19th Middlesex Regiment Volunteers, and during World War I he served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Chalke was a sabre specialist and fenced with both the Civil Service School of Arms and Volland’s School of Arms. His finest moment came in 1906 when he won the sabre event at the German Gymnastic Society annual fencing competition. In 1909, Chalke went through to the final pool of the Amateur Sabre Championship, which was won by a fellow Volland’s team-mate, William Marsh. The following year Chalke won through to the final pool again after going through his semi-final pool undefeated. Alfred Ridley-Martin won the title, however, while Chalke finished joint fourth.

Chalke was a fine all-round sportsman. A forward In the Civil Service rugby team, he was also a good golfer and a member of the Shirley Park Golf Club, Croydon.