John Challens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Challens
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Wallace John Challens
14 May 1915 Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England
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| Died | 1 March 2002 (aged 86) Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College, Nottingham |
| Known for | Atomic bomb Hydrogen bomb Chevaline |
| Awards | Medal of Freedom (U.S.) (1946) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1958) Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1967) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Woolwich Aldermaston |
Wallace John Challens (14 May 1915 – 1 March 2002) was a smart British scientist. He also worked as a civil servant, which means he worked for the government.
John Challens went to University College, Nottingham. In 1936, he started working at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. Later, in 1939, he moved to the rocket department. After Germany was defeated in World War II, he went to the United States. There, he helped the British Scientific Mission work on V-1 and V-2 rockets.
When he came back to the United Kingdom in 1947, William Penney asked him to join the British atomic bomb project. John Challens led the team that created the special circuits. These circuits were used for the bomb in Operation Hurricane, which was the first British nuclear test. He also invented a neutron generator. He was involved in most of the British nuclear tests at Maralinga. In 1957, he was the scientific director for the Operation Grapple tests. He became a high-ranking leader at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE). He was the Assistant Director in 1965, Deputy Director in 1972, and Director from 1976 until he retired in 1978.
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Early Life and Education
Wallace John Challens was born in Peterborough, Northamptonshire, on 14 May 1915. His father was an engineer. John Challens went to Deacon's School in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. Then, he studied at University College, Nottingham.
After finishing college in 1936, the War Office offered him a job. He worked in the ballistics department at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. His job was to study how heavy guns fired. It was hard to find good jobs during the Great Depression. John Challens wanted to get married and start a family. He married Joan Stephenson in 1938, and they had two sons.
Working with Rockets
In 1939, John Challens moved to the rocket department. During the Second World War, this department moved several times. It went from Woolwich to Fort Halstead, and then to Aberporth in 1940. There, it became the Projectile Development Establishment. Sir Alwyn Crow was in charge, and William Cook was his assistant.
On 17 April 1945, he joined the British Army as a second lieutenant. After Germany was defeated, he went to Germany. Then, he traveled to the United States. He was part of the British Scientific Mission. His work involved studying the V-1 flying bomb and the V-2 rocket. For his important work, he received the U.S. Medal of Freedom.
Developing the Atomic Bomb
When John Challens returned to the United Kingdom in 1947, William Penney asked him to join the British atomic bomb project. This project was called High Explosive Research (HER) at the time. It was based at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE). There was a bit of a disagreement about who would get Challens' help. Both the rocket and atomic bomb projects wanted him. Penney finally got him after asking Sir Archibald Rowlands, a very important government official.
Challens was put in charge of the team that made the firing circuits. These circuits were super important. They had to make 32 special explosive lenses explode at the exact same time. This was for an implosion-type nuclear weapon, like the American Fat Man bomb. Penney had worked on this design before. All 32 lenses had to explode within a few millionths of a second. This was a huge challenge for British electronics in 1947.
The firing circuits also had to be safe and strong. They needed to work perfectly even when inside an aircraft. Scientists tested models in the lab in 1950. The first real versions were ready in 1951. But then, they found a problem. It took until 1952 to fix it. At first, it seemed like the fix wouldn't be ready for Operation Hurricane. This was the first British nuclear test, and it was only two months away. But they found a solution just in time. Challens and his friend Eddie Howse flew to the Montebello Islands for the test. They were the last people to touch the bomb before it exploded. The bomb was on board HMS Plym.
Hydrogen Bomb and Later Career
John Challens took part in most of the British nuclear tests at Maralinga. In 1957, he was the scientific director for the Operation Grapple tests. These tests happened at Malden Island and Christmas Island. This is when the first British hydrogen bombs were tested. He designed the firing circuits for these powerful bombs. He also created a special neutron generator.
He was part of a British group that met with Americans. They talked about working together on nuclear weapon designs. This was under the 1958 US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement. The Americans were very impressed with his neutron generator. It was more advanced than theirs.
In 1959, he became the head of Warhead Development at AWRE. He worked on missile warheads for the RAF (Royal Air Force). Later, he developed them for the Royal Navy's Polaris submarines. He became the Assistant Director of AWRE in 1965. Then, he was the Deputy Director in 1972. From 1976 until he retired in 1978, he was the Director. His last big project was Chevaline. This project aimed to make the Polaris nuclear missile last longer. For his important work, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1958. He became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1968.
Personal Life and Legacy
John Challens' first wife, Joan, passed away in 1971. In 1973, he married Norma Lane. They both loved to play golf. He was the captain and president of Basingstoke Golf Club. He even became a life member there. John Challens died suddenly on the Basingstoke golf course on 1 March 2002.
