Captain Eric Chafe #52 was a Blue Puttee and one of The First Five Hundred of the Newfoundland Regiment. Having enlisted on September 2nd, 1914, he went on to serve throughout the First World War.
ACC#2019-060B, 2019-060P.1, 2019-060P.2, 2019-060Q
“The award of the Military Cross to 2nd Liet Eric C. Chafe, of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, has been granted. He is the son of L.G. Chafe, Esq. Merchant of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The Military Cross was awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in taking command of his Company after all officers had become casualties. He led his men with great gallantry to the attack in spite of determined hostile operation , and successfully carried out the work of Consolidation under intense Machine gun and shell fire”*.
It was during the Battle of Poelcappelle that he earned the military cross. The military cross was awarded to Chafe on October 9th, 1917**.
Visit the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum to see a special display highlighting Captain Eric Chafe. Included in the display are his military medals (including his military cross) and his Pattern 1897 Infantry Sword and Scabbard. While several pieces of his collection will remain on display, there is a limited time to see his special display at the front of the museum.
*London Weekly, January 1918
**Cramm, Richard. “The First Five Hundred of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment”. Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Newfoundland and Labrador: Boulder Publications, 2015, p. 153.
***https://biblio.uottawa.ca/omeka2/jmccutcheon/items/show/774
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