Last updated at 11:05, Friday, 22 June 2012

WHEN the Olympics were held in London for the first time in 1908 a man with strong Barrow connections was among those aiming to win a gold medal.

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Christopher Chavasse was vicar of St George’s Church, Barrow from 1919 to 1922.

He was later Bishop of Rochester and brother to double Victoria Cross winner Noel.

The brothers both competed in separate heats of the 400m in the 1908 Olympics.

Noel and Christopher, whose best time for the distance was 50.7sec, failed to qualify for the next round.

The actual long john-style shorts Christopher worn at the Olympics are on display at the Guildhall Museum, Rochester.

Sport was just a fun activity in Edwardian times, a young man’s preparation for more important things.

In the First World War he was in uniform as an army chaplain, bringing support and comfort to troops in dangerous and stressful conditions.

He was awarded the Military Cross, the French Croix de Guerre and the military division of the Order of the British Empire.

He married Beatrice C Willbank and their first son was born in Barrow on April 11 in 1920.

The child was named Noel in honour of the clergyman’s brother who died in the First World War having won the VC a second time to add to his Military Cross and a mention in dispatches for brave conduct.

Dr Christopher Maude Chavasse died at his home in Staverton Road, Oxford, on March 10 in 1962 at the age of 77.

His early postings had included being rector at St Peter-le-Bailey and St Aldate’s in Oxford.

He was also First Master of St Peter’s Hall. Oxford, from 1929 to 1939.

In August 1939 his leg was crushed in a boating accident at Giant’s Causeway, Ireland.

He, his wife and children, and friends, in a party of 10, were trapped when the boat was overturned by a heavy wave.

Dr Chavasse got clear and began to lift the boat to free the others but another wave pinned him against a rock.

The accident caused a delay to his consecration as Bishop of Rochester at Westminster Abbey and resulted in the amputation of the leg.

First published at 13:45, Thursday, 21 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk