Biographical Sketch
Miss H. F. Chater came to Belfast to live with her nephew, Sir Eric Ashby, when he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Q.U.B. She joined the Belfast Chess Club in the season 1951-52, being first mentioned in the Minutes on 18/2/52, and although 78, attended regularly through all weathers, and entered all competitions including the Ulster Championship and the Ard Scoil Feis, in which she reached the Final, only being defeated by P. J. McMahon. She received the Silver Medal for 2nd place.
She came to Belfast with a high reputation in Ladies' Chess, having played several times in the British Ladies' championship with creditable scores.
She is the holder of the Royal Red Cross, presented to her at Buckingham Palace by George V in recognition of outstanding bravery, whilst performing her duty as a nurse, under enemy gun-fire from "Big Bertha" in 1918.
In 1953, she played in the Premier at Galway, and at the same venue was started the 1st Irish Ladies,' Championship, with a few entries. This ended with a tie between Miss Chater and Miss E. M. Cassidy (Leinster) which was subsequently decided later in 1953 by Miss Cassidy coming to Belfast and playing a series of games in Miss Chater's home at 16 Lennoxvale....
Miss Chater finally left Belfast to live in England, Sunday 6 July 1958.
Born Friday Friday 28 August 1874. Died Wednesday 27 November 1968 at 2 Westminster Court, St. Stephen's Hill, St. Alban's, aged 94.
