Medals of a First World War hero are set to be publicly displayed in Liverpool.
Captain Noel Chavasse was the only serviceman of the ‘Great War’ to be awarded two Victoria Crosses, which are among the medals which will be viewable to the public.
From July 31 until January 5 next year, the Museum of Liverpool will house Cpt Chavasse’s collection to coincide with the centenary of the third Battle of Ypres.
The display also coincides with the anniversary of Chavasse’s death, four days after the battle at Passchendaele on August 4, 1917.
Originally from Oxford, Cpt Chavasse moved to Liverpool with his family in 1900 where his father was offered the Anglican Bishopric of the city.
He was a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the 10th Battalion of the King’s Regiment, which consisted of people from Liverpool and Scotland.
Janet Dugdale, Director of the Museum of Liverpool, said: “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.”
Lord Ashcroft, who owns Cpt Chavasse’s medals said: “I am absolutely delighted that the medal group of Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC is going to be on display at the Museum of Liverpool, in the city where both he and his family had such significant links.
“It is entirely appropriate that the centenary of Captain Chavasse’s death should be marked in this way.
“I feel privileged and humbled to be the custodian of this courageous man’s gallantry and service medals.
“Captain Chavasse deserves his unique position in history as the only ‘double VC’ of the Great War and his military career has come to epitomise self-sacrifice.
“As Captain Chavasse himself put is so succinctly as he lay dying: ‘Duty called, and called me to obey’.”