Noel Godfrey Chavasse

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC and bar MC (November 9, 1884 – August 4 1917) was a British medic and soldier who is one of only three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice.

He was born in Oxford and educated at Magdalen College School in Cowley Place, where a blue plaque was dedicated to him in 2005, Liverpool Collegeand Trinity College, Oxford. Chavasse was the son of Francis James Chavasse, Bishop of Liverpool and founder of St. Peter's College, Oxford.

During the First World War, Chavasse was a captain with the Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army attached to the 1/10th (Scottish) Battalion of the King's (Liverpool Regiment).

Chavasse's first award was for his actions on August 9 1916, at Guillemont, France when he attended to the wounded all day under heavy fire, frequently in view of the enemy, and during the night he continued searching for wounded in front of the enemy's lines. Next day, under heavy shell fire he and a stretcher bearer carried an urgent case 500 yards to safety, being wounded himself during the journey. The same night, with 20 volunteers, he rescued three wounded men from a shell-hole 36 yards from enemy trenches, buried the bodies of two officers and collected many identity discs. Altogether he saved the lives of some 20 wounded men. Chavasse's second award was made during the period July 31 to August 2 1917, at Wieltje, Belgium. Chavasse, although severely wounded early in the action while carrying a wounded officer to the dressing station, refused to leave his post and in addition to his normal duties, went out repeatedly under heavy fire to attend the wounded. During this time, although practically without food, worn with fatigue and faint from his wound, he helped to carry in badly wounded men, being instrumental in saving many who would otherwise have died in the bad weather. Chavasse died of his wounds in Brandhoek. He is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Vlamertinge.

Chavasse Park in Liverpool City Centre was named in his honour.

Both Noel and his identical twin brother Christopher Maude Chavasse were members of the British Olympic team that competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Noel placed third in his preliminary heat while Christopher placed second in his. Neither advanced to the semifinals.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London.

Noel is believed to be commemorated by more war memorials in the UK than any other individual. Sixteen have currently been recorded by the UK National Inventory of War Memorials.

Others VCs and bar
The two other winners of the VC and bar are Arthur Martin-Leake and Charles Upham. There is another link between the three: Martin-Leake was with the 46th Field Ambulance which brought Chavasse back to Brandhoeck, and Upham was distantly related to Chavasse by marriage.