Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, was an English medical doctor, Olympic athlete, and British Army officer from the Chavasse family. He is one of three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice, the others being Arthur Martin-Leake and Charles Upham.
Portrait of N.G. Chavasse wearing the glengarry of the Liverpool Scottish
Medals of Noel and Christopher Chavasse. Noel's medals are top row. Christopher's medals are bottom row.
Chavasse's headstone in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery.
Noel's memorial at the Chavasse family grave at Bromsgrove
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded by countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
Obverse of the cross; ribbon: 1+1⁄2 inches (38 mm), crimson (blue ribbon for naval awards 1856–1918)
The front and back of Edward Holland's VC
The obverse of William Johnstone's VC showing the dark blue ribbon for pre-1918 awards to naval personnel
Victoria Cross as it appears on Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones.