A Centenary Victoria Cross paving stone in honour of Captain Noel Chavasse has been formally unveiled on Abercromby Square.
A doctor, sportsman and son of the Bishop of Liverpool, Captain Chavasse is the only person to have been awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) twice in the First World War. He was awarded both VCs for his bravery in attending to wounded soldiers – the second was awarded posthumously for his actions in braving heavy fire to treat wounded soldiers during the Battle of Passchendaele.
Captain Noel Chavasse
Captain Chavasse moved to Liverpool in 1900 when his father was appointed Bishop of Liverpool and the family became residents of the Bishop’s Palace, which was at 19 Abercromby Square. After attending Liverpool College, Captain Chavasse studied medicine at the University of Oxford. He returned to Liverpool to continue his medical studies here at the University and took his first placement at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool.
The commemorative stone that now lies in Abercromby Square.
Following the unveiling and service on Tuesday (29 August), guests were invited to travel to Liverpool waterfront to view Captain Chavasse’s medals on display at the Museum of Liverpool. This was followed by an afternoon service at Liverpool Parish Church with the Bishop of Liverpool.
208 Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps held a Last Light vigil to close the day’s proceedings at the newly dedicated stone in Abercromby Square.
The medals of Captain Noel Chavasse are now on display at the Museum of Liverpool until 5 January 2018 – the first time this important medal group has gone on public display in Liverpool. Also on display at the Museum are stained glass windows, commissioned by the Chavasse family in memory of those who died during the First World War.