Second Afghan War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in St Lucia, West Indies, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 28th Bombay Native Infantry, Kandahar Field Force, British Army. On August 16, 1880, 1st Lieutenant Chase was part of a party of British soldiers which come under siege from local tribesman in the small Afghan village of Deh Khoja. Many of the soldiers were quickly killed and one of the injured men managed to pull himself into the cover of a building under heavy fire. Lieutenant Chase with Private Thomas Ashford noticed their comrade's desperate situation and together they went to rescue him. As they headed towards the building two hundred yards away, the Afghans started to open fire on them. Several times they attempted to reach the building but had to stop. Finally they reached the building, retrieved their comrade and under heavy fire, returned to safety. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, Private Ashford and Lieutenant Chase were awarded the Victoria Cross on October 14, 1881. Remaining in the service, he rose to the rank of Colonel serving in the Zhob Campaign 1884, Naga Hills Campaign 1897, the Mohmand Expedition 1897 and Tirah Campaign 1898. He died at the age of 51 in Quetta, Baluchistan, India.
Second Afghan War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in St Lucia, West Indies, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 28th Bombay Native Infantry, Kandahar Field Force, British Army. On August 16, 1880, 1st Lieutenant Chase was part of a party of British soldiers which come under siege from local tribesman in the small Afghan village of Deh Khoja. Many of the soldiers were quickly killed and one of the injured men managed to pull himself into the cover of a building under heavy fire. Lieutenant Chase with Private Thomas Ashford noticed their comrade's desperate situation and together they went to rescue him. As they headed towards the building two hundred yards away, the Afghans started to open fire on them. Several times they attempted to reach the building but had to stop. Finally they reached the building, retrieved their comrade and under heavy fire, returned to safety. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, Private Ashford and Lieutenant Chase were awarded the Victoria Cross on October 14, 1881. Remaining in the service, he rose to the rank of Colonel serving in the Zhob Campaign 1884, Naga Hills Campaign 1897, the Mohmand Expedition 1897 and Tirah Campaign 1898. He died at the age of 51 in Quetta, Baluchistan, India.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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