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RAMC profile of:
Noel Godfrey CHAVASSE M.A., M.B., B.Ch.
 
 


Place or Date
of Birth:
Oxford on 9th November 1884

Service Number:

TF Number:

Rank: t.Capt

Unit:

Attached To: 10th Bn. Liverpool Scottish

Enlistment Location:

Also Served:

Outcome: Died of wounds

Date Died: 04/08/1917
Age Died: 32

Where Buried and/or Commemorated: Belgium - Brandhoek New Military Cemetery

Awards: VC and Bar, MC; MiD

Gazette Reference: 26/10/1916 and 14/9/1917; 14/1/1916; 1/1/1916
 


Other Information:

Noel was educated at Magdalen College School; at Liverpool College School, and at the University of Liverpool and Oxford, where he was a double blue and qualified M.A., M.B., B.Ch. in 1912. He also took the Conjoint Diploma in 1912. In 1913, he gained a commission as Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. and was attached as Medical Officer to the 10th (Scottish) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment. At the outbreak of war he proceeded to France with the battalion. He was promoted to Captain on 1st April 1915. Noel was awarded the Victoria Cross due to his actions from 9th September 1916 at Guillemont, France - “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During an attack he tended the wounded in the open all day, under heavy fire, frequently in view of the enemy. During the ensuring night he searched for wounded on the ground in front of the enemy`s lines for four hours. Next day he took one stretcher-bearer to the advanced trenches, and under heavy shell fire carried an urgent case for 500 yards into safety, being wounded in the side by a shell splinter during the journey. The same night he took up a party of twenty volunteers, rescued three wounded men from a shell hole twenty-five yards from the enemy`s trench, buried the bodies of two Officers, and collected many identity discs, although fired on by bombs and machine guns. Altogether he saved the lives of some twenty badly wounded men, besides the ordinary cases which passed through his hands. His courage and self-sacrifice were beyond praise.” He was later awarded a Bar to his Victoria Cross due to his actions on 31st July - 2nd August 1917 at Wieltje, France - “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when in action. Though severely wounded early in the action whilst carrying a wounded soldier to the Dressing Station, Capt. Chavasse refused to leave his post, and for two days not only continued to perform his duties, but in addition went out repeatedly under heavy fire to search for and attend to the wounded who were lying out. During these searches, although practically without food during this period, worn with fatigue and faint with his wound, he assisted to carry in a number of badly wounded men, over heavy and difficult ground. By his extraordinary energy and inspiring example, he was instrumental in rescuing many wounded who would have otherwise undoubtedly succumbed under the bad weather conditions. This devoted and gallant officer, subsequently died of his wounds.” Noel died near Ypres, Belgium, he was the son of The Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Liverpool, and of Edith Jane Chavasse of 19 Abercromby Square, Liverpool. His brother Aidan also fell. [Photograph courtesy of Simon Gildea]


 
Additional Information: Date Added: Friday 20 May, 2016
 
My book "Chavasse Double VC" was published by Pen & Sword Books in 1992. Based to a large extent on ...
(click here to read full text)

 
 
Additional Information: Date Added: Saturday 02 March, 2013
 
Noel's final resting place.


  
 
 
 
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