From: Noel Godfrey Chavasse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Chavasse was first awarded the VC 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; 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 headstone in
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery.
Bar to Victoria Cross
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.