Capt. Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC and Bar, MC

Captain Noel Chavasse (1884–1917) is one of only three people ever to have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice was born on this day in 1884.  His first honour came at the Somme, in 1916, while the second, at Passchendaele, cost him his life. Chavasse is the only VC and Bar of the First World War.

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse was born in Oxford on 9 November 1884. As a youth he was an accomplished athlete, excelling in rugby, lacrosse & athletics. He represented Great Britain in the Quarter-mile race in the 1908 Olympic Games. He was educated at Magdalen College School, Liverpool College, and Trinity College, Oxford. He completed his medical training in Liverpool.

He joined the RAMC Territorial Army in 1913, being attached to 1/10th (Scottish) Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Scottish) as their Regimental Medical Officer. In November 1914 the regiment embarked for France.

Captain Chavasse was a man of sound Christian morals and physical fitness and endurance, and he was admired by the soldiers and officers of the regiment. He did much to improve the conditions of the soldiers by setting up bath houses, laundry arrangements, and canteens. He was well-known for discerning men who were on the verge of a breakdown. He would confine them to the Regimental Aid Post to perform light duties for several days until they calmed down and were able to return to normal duties. He was one of the first doctors to use anti-tetanus serum, which he purchased himself, on wounded soldiers and with great success.

Private Frederick Jackson (Liverpool Scottish) who often came across Chavasse stated that, “His attitude toward anyone reporting ‘sick’ was that of a doctor attending his patient, irrespective of his rank.”

Another soldier, who was with him all day on 31 July 1917, commented:

"Gee! He did work! I was beginning to think he was not human, because nothing made him flinch or duck. The first wound that he received was in the head, and all he did was to take his tin hat off, jammed there, put a bandage around his head, and carry on. This he did all day and all night until the next wound he got, in the side, did for him. By Jove, it didn't half cut up the boys, because a man like that is not made to be killed. He is a hero of heroes. A V.C. is too small a reward for such a man."

On the morning of 2 August 1917, he was again seriously wounded, this time fatally. He died of his injuries at 32 Casualty Clearing Station, Brandhoek, two days later

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Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC and Bar Studio Portrait

Noel Godfrey Chavasse c 1913 Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery

Chavasses Grave in Brandhoek Cemetery

A VC with Bar

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