The medals of Captain Noel Chavasse, the only serviceman to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) twice during the First World War are to go on display at the Museum of Liverpool next month.

Timed to coincide with the centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres (31 July 1917), the exhibition will be the first time this medal group will have gone on public display in Liverpool.

The medals will also be on display for the centenary of Chavasse’s death (4 August 1917).

Noel moved here to city in 1900 when his father was appointed Bishop of Liverpool and took residence at Bishop’s Palace, 19 Abercromby Square.

Janet Dugdale, director of the Museum of Liverpool, says: “The name Chavasse is forever associated with heroism and courage thanks to the actions of Noel, and other members of the family, during the First World War.

“In unimaginably appalling conditions, Captain Chavasse saved the lives of many of his men, losing his own as a consequence in 1917. This group of medals tells a powerful story of the extremes of human sacrifice.

“We’re extremely proud to be bringing them to Liverpool on the centenary of his death.”

Free talks will also take place at the Museum of Liverpool about the life and times of Noel and the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendaele).

The talks will mark the centenary of the first day of Ypres and aim to give visitors a fuller understanding of the significance of the medals.

Real and replica items from the First World War handling collection will also be available, giving visitors some insight into life on the Front.

Also on display at the Museum until 1 September, are stained glass windows, commissioned by the Chavasse family in memory of ‘those who died’ and ‘those who gave their life’ during the First World War.

Noel, who served as a surgeon lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical, was awarded his first VC on 9 August 1916 at Guillemont, France where under heavy fire he rescued about 20 wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

His second VC was awarded posthumously for again braving intense fire to attend to wounded soldiers during the Battle of Passchendaele, despite being badly injured himself.

The medals will go on display at the Museum of Liverpool from 31 July to 5 January 2018. 

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