The Right Reverend Christopher Chavasse OBE MC TD |
|
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Bishop of Rochester | |
Church | Church of England |
Diocese | Diocese of Rochester |
Elected | 19 March 1940 |
Term ended | 30 September 1960 |
Predecessor | Linton Smith |
Successor | David Say |
Orders | |
Consecration | 25 April 1940 |
Personal details | |
Born |
Oxford |
9 November 1884
Died | 10 March 1962 | (aged 77)
Nationality | British |
Denomination | Anglican |
Parents | Francis Chavasse and Ethel Maude |
Spouse | Beatrice Willbank |
Children | Three sons, two daughters |
Profession | Military chaplain; Olympic athlete |
Alma mater | Trinity College, Oxford |
Christopher Maude Chavasse OBE MC TD (9 November 1884 – 10 March 1962) was a British athlete, soldier and religious leader from the Chavasse family. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, served in the First World War and was later the Bishop of Rochester.
Chavasse was the son of Francis Chavasse, a Bishop of Liverpool and founder of St Peter's College, Oxford and his wife Ethel Maude. His twin brother, Noel Godfrey Chavasse, won the Victoria Cross and bar. Christopher was the elder of the two by 20 minutes. The twins had two other brothers and three sisters.
Both Christopher and Noel Chavasse attended Magdalen College School, Oxford (1896-1900) then Liverpool College (1900-1904) before progressing to Trinity College, Oxford, competing in both rugby and athletics. They competed on the British team at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London: Christopher came second in his preliminary heat of the 400 metres shortly after Noel came third in his heat of the same event. Neither advanced to the semi-finals.
During World War I, Chavasse served as a Chaplain in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department of the British Army. On 15 August 1916, he was promoted from Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class (equivalent to Captain) to Chaplain to the Forces 3rd Class (equivalent to Major). On 30 September 1918, he was promoted to Chaplain to the Forces 2nd Class (equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel).