When the Great War opened in August, 1914, Chase declared his support for British involvement. He wrote ‘We believe the war to be a just and necessary war; but each day we feel more deeply its horrors and anxieties .... At this time of national need it seems to me that our young men ought to offer themselves for service in Lord Kitchener’s Second Army. I believe that this is a solemn duty. I earnestly hope that this diocese may not be behind in this matter. Here lies our national safety, under God.’ [5] Under Chase's influence, clergy led local recruitment activities,[6] and a survey of church schools indicated that they provided more recruits than council schools.[7] This pressure from clergy backfired when they were accused of hypocrisy for encouraging recruitment but not having to face the enemy themselves. Chase wrote that clergy should not be blamed because they were ‘under orders’ from the bishop.[8] Some clergy volunteered as temporary chaplains to the forces and others took on additional duties with prisoners of war and in the new and expanding military hospitals.[9]
One of the bishop's sons, George Armitage Chase, was awarded a Military[10] Cross when he was a temporary chaplain. He became Bishop of Ripon in 1946.
Works
Chase was known for research into the Bezan and Syro-Latin texts, including the Codex Bezae.[2]