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Commemorations to honour
Captain Noel Chavasse
A Commemorative Paving Stone and a
centenary service will be held on Tuesday, 29 August 2017, as part of a series of events marking
the centenary of the death of Noel Chavasse, the only soldier to be awarded 2 Victoria Cross medals during World War
1.
Noel Godfrey Chavasse was born in Oxford in 1884 and moved to the Bishop's
Palace, at 19 Abercomby Square, Liverpool, in 1900, when his father, the 'Right
Reverend Francis Chavasse,' took up the post of Bishop of Liverpool.
He attended Liverpool College where he excelled at sport and represented Great
Britain in the 400 metres at the Olympics in 1908, before becoming a doctor
serving as a medical officer with the British Army attached to the 1/10th
Battalion of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, a kilted territorial battalion,
known as the Liverpool Scottish.
Despite not even being a frontline soldier, he was responsible for some of the
bravest and most unselfish acts of the entire four year conflict and became the
most decorated soldier of the war for his actions.
He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in June 1915 at Hooge near
Ypres, where he continually went into no man's land for nearly 48 hours until he
was satisfied there were no more wounded needing treatment.
He was 1st awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in August 1916 at Guillemont in France on the Somme when he attended to the wounded all day under
heavy fire. He carried a critically injured man 500 yards to safety under heavy
shellfire and rescued 3 wounded men from a shell hole just 25 yards from
enemy trenches. It is estimated he saved the lives of some 20 seriously injured
men as well as treating countless others.
His 2nd Victoria Cross was awarded for his action in July and August 1917 in Wieltje, Belgium, when, despite being severely wounded in his skull, he refused
to leave his post and for two days not only continued to perform his duties, but
went out repeatedly under heavy fire to search for and attend to the wounded who
were lying out. He was instrumental in rescuing many who would otherwise have
undoubtedly succumbed under the bad weather conditions. On 2 August 2017, he was
finally taking a rest at his 1st aid post when it was struck by a shell, but
despite this he crawled for half a mile to get help for the others. He died on 4
August 2017, but not before dictating a letter to his fiancée Gladys in which he
explained he carried on working because:- "duty called and called me to
obey."
The citation for his Bar in the London Gazette reads:- "For most
conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in action (Wieltje,
Flanders).Though severely wounded early in the action whilst carrying a wounded
soldier to the Dressing Station, Captain Chavasse refused to leave his post, and
for two days not only continued to perform his duties, but in addition went out
repeatedly under heavy fire to search for and attend to the wounded who were
lying out. During these searches, although practically without food during this
period, worn with fatigue and faint with his wound, he assisted to carry in a
number of badly wounded men, over heavy and difficult ground. By his
extraordinary energy and inspiring example, he was instrumental in rescuing many
wounded who would have otherwise undoubtedly succumbed under the bad weather
conditions. This devoted and gallant officer subsequently died of his wounds."
To mark the 100 years since his death, a Commemorative Paving Stone is being
unveiled at Abercromby Square Gardens, on Tuesday, 29 August 2017, at 11am, attended by
his family, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, military
representatives from the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Duke of Lancashire
Regiment, the Liverpool Scottish Association and civic dignitaries.
It will be followed by a re-creation of his Memorial Service at Liverpool Parish
Church in the City Centre at 2pm, exactly 100 years since it originally took
place, which will include the original hymns he had chosen. His sword will also
be on display, the 1st time it has been seen in public for many years.
To bring the day's commemorations to a close, 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital
will hold a Last Light Vigil, at 9pm, back in Abercromby Square Gardens.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, said:-
"Noel Chavasse was a courageous medical doctor whose selfless actions saved many
lives. He was completely devoted to his duty and in his own words as he lay
dying, he wrote:- 'Duty called and called me to obey.' Noel had been set
for a brilliant career in medicine; but instead he became 1 of the most
extraordinary soldiers Britain has ever seen, winning the Victoria Cross twice.
Liverpool is incredibly proud of him and this is why the City is honouring him
with this fitting ceremony. I am personally privileged to be able to attend and
unveil this stone in his honour. It will be a permanent reminder of the
incredible contribution that he made to the war effort and his role in making
sure that more soldiers weren't lost."
Thomas Aidan Chavasse; nephew to Noel Chavasse, Son of Bernard Chavasse (Noel's
brother), and oldest surviving relative of Noel said:- "On this centennial
anniversary, the Chavasse family are grateful to the City of Liverpool for
commemorating the courage and sacrifice of Noel Chavasse, and indeed all the
citizens of Liverpool who died in the Great War. Noel's life was
characterized by duty, service, and above all a deep sense of compassion and
care for both the citizens of Liverpool, and for his brothers in arms in the
Liverpool Scottish Regiment. This August, we both mourn and celebrate his
extraordinary life and death, and in particular his supreme acts of bravery and
courage in saving so many lives on the battlefield."
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, said:- "My
predecessor, Bishop Francis Chavasse, was devastated at the loss of his son, but
also knew the tremendous example that Noel had set for others.
Noel's heroism was in his care for others at the front, and his distinguished
service in the Medical Corps. After his first VC, Bishop Chavasse told his son,
'You have been known so far as the son of the Bishop of Liverpool:- I shall be
known henceforth as the father of Captain Chavasse.'
I am proud to honour Noel's memory exactly 100 years after the 1st memorial
service at Liverpool Parish Church using hymns which Noel himself had chosen.
Bishop Chavasse wrote that it was a service of praise, and we continue today to
give thanks and praise for the life of Noel Chavasse. We also remember with
pride and thanksgiving those who, like him, choose to serve and to risk their
lives in our Armed Forces today."
Separately, The King's Regiment are to hold a service at 1pm, on 4 August 2017, the
day he died, at the Liverpool Heroes Memorial in Abercomby Square.
The medals of Captain Noel Chavasse are on display at the Museum of Liverpool,
from 31 July 2017 to 5 January 2018, the 1st time this important medal group,
on loan from Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, has gone on public display in Liverpool.
Also on display at the Museum of Liverpool, until 1 September 2017, are stained glass
windows, commissioned by the Chavasse family in memory of 'those who died' and
'those who gave their life' during World War 1.
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Mums aim to help break breastfeeding
record
MIDWIVES are backing:- 'The Big Latch On' in Southport this
week in support of women who want to breastfeed. 'The Big Latch On' is a global event to raise awareness of the benefits of
breastfeeding celebrated in 120 countries. Women and children will gather in
their own communities to take part with the aim of breaking 2016's
breastfeeding record, when nearly 18,000 children were fed.
The local event will take place on Friday, 4 August 2017, at Lakeside Church, Fairway,
Southport, PR9 0LA. Registration is between 9.30am and 10am. A headcount will be
taken, at 10.30am, for the 'Official Southport Big Latch On' submission.
1 mum who will be supporting the event is Laura Corrigan from Formby whose
baby, Arthur, was born at Ormskirk Hospital, on Saturday, 22 July 2017, weighing 8lb
9oz. "I always wanted to breastfeed because I knew it would be good
for Arthur. I'm also told it's a great way to lose weight!" said Laura.
Expressing milk also means that dad, Paul Mason, can help with feeding too.
"The midwives have been fantastic and gave me loads of support, particularly
early on when it can be so easy to give up."
Lesley Fawcett, Infant Feeding Coordinator, at the Hospital, said:-
"2016's event was so successful it has been moved to a much larger venue for
2017. It's great to see mums and babies reaping the benefits of breastfeeding
and we look forward to meeting them at the event."
Young men in the North West most likely
in the UK to say they'd report online child sex abuse imagery
41% of young men in the North West say they'd report
online images of child sexual abuse to an internet watchdog or hotline, if they
accidentally stumbled on them.
That's according to a new survey, published 1 August, 2017, commissioned by the
Internet Watch Foundation, for a joint campaign aimed at raising awareness of
internet safety with soccer giants Everton Football Club.
The report, from the polling company ComRes, looked at the attitudes of young
men across the UK, aged 16 to 24, to online safety. Data in the survey reveals
differences in attitudes across regions and nations, including:-
► Young men in the North West are the most likely to say that if they
accidentally found images and videos showing child sexual abuse online, they
would report it to an internet watchdog or hotline. 41% of young men in the
North West say they would do this, compared to 29% in Yorkshire and Humberside,
for example.
► 22% of young men have heard of the IWF in the North West, just 13% say the
same in Yorkshire and Humberside.
► Young men in the North West are amongst the most likely to say they think
cyber bullying is 1 of the biggest issues on the internet, with 55% stating
this. 40% say they think this issue has increased over the last 12 months.
► 53% of young men in the North West say they think the best way to describe
consent is:- 'you have to have the other person's permission,' more than
any other region.
The ComRes survey has been published to support the:- 'See
it, Report it'
campaign which kicked off at an Everton Football Club fixture. The campaign was
designed to have 2 elements:- firstly, raising awareness of the work of IWF's
anonymous reporting Hotline, which takes reports and removes criminal images and
video of child sexual abuse from the internet. Secondly, and in a 1st for
British football, to trial a ground breaking online safety workshop 'Game
On',
across Everton Football Club's youth teams and wider footballing community,
including staff and participants at the Club's award winning charity, Everton in
the Community.
The central aim of the project was to tackle online issues of inappropriate
sexualised behaviours, as well as educate young men to the dangers of being
online, through a series of targeted educational workshops.
Susie Hargreaves OBE, IWF CEO, says:- "It's incredibly positive that
nationally over 40% of young men say that they would report it, if they
accidently stumbled on child sexual abuse imagery online. But we need to get
that message out to more young people; and let them know that they can report
these disturbing illegal images to our Hotline, anonymously. Working with
Everton FC has been amazing; they've been pioneers in online safety education.
The support Everton has across the globe, has the potential to influence tens of
thousands of young men. And by running these workshops, our goal to educate
these young players to keep themselves cyber safe and in turn spread the
positive online safeguarding message has been a real success."
Adam Green, Head of Safeguarding, Everton Football Club, says:- "This is a
unique safeguarding initiative and we're proud to be the 1st club to partner
with the IWF. At Everton, we have a history of putting safeguarding 1st, both
for our young players and in the wider Everton community. This project takes
that message one step further, we want to help young men develop appropriate
relationship behaviours, both online and offline. And, in a complex online
world, we want to help keep our young players, staff and community participants
safe."
The 'Game On' project has been supported by an Advisory Board made up
from leading charities and online safety experts. The work of the project has
been fully evaluated by ComRes.
CO-OP to serve up newest store in
Aughton with funding boost for community groups
THE Co-op is set to serve up its newest food store later
this month in Aughton, Ormskirk, following a ₤625,000 investment creating 14 new
jobs.
The new store in Town Green Lane; which opened on Thursday, 10 August 2017, will
deliver a funding boost for local good causes through its Membership scheme;
Members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own branded products and
services, with a further 1% benefitting local good causes.
Groups initially set to benefit include:- Maghull Air Training Corp (ATC), which
is raising funds for adventure equipment to support young people taking part in
the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, and Carla Lane Animals in Need.
The new store will offer an in store bakery alongside its focus on fresh,
healthy foods, meal ideas, award winning wines and essentials.
Members of the community are invited to pop into the new store, on Wednesday, 9
August 2017, the evening before its launch, between 6pm to 9pm, for a preview. A chance
to see the new store, meet the team, and find out more about the Co-op and the
benefits of Membership.
Dan Lee, Store Manager for the new Co-op store, said:- "We are looking
forward to welcoming members and customers into their new Co-op, it is an
exciting time to be involved in the opening of the Co-op's newest store.
The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. Our ambition is
to establish the store as a local hub, a real asset for the community. We want
shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. We
are also giving back to the community. Our members can make a difference
locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they can
raise much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to
improving local life. There are offers and promotions in and around the new store to mark its launch,
plus students in Ormskirk holding the NUS extra card will also receive a 10%
discount off their groceries."
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