Edith Cavell

Birth- Dec 1865 in Norfolk

Edith Cavell (1816-1915) was a British Nurse who worked in Belgium during the First World War- she worked in hospitals and treated soldiers indiscriminately. She had also helped British, French, and Belgian soldiers by treating them and helping them escape to neutral Holland in which led to her execution by German forces.[1]

Not only did she treat the soldiers, but she also helped young Belgian with fake identification cards and money for them to escape the country before being recruited- saving over 200 men in the process.

The night before her execution, she had reportedly stated that “Patriotism is not enough,” “I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”- not only did she treat soldiers, but she did not allow nationality to hold her back from treating everyone.[2]

Drawing called:"Faith and Courage in death, an allegory of Edith Cavell" from the Illustrated London News. 

“Her patriotism, courage, and dignity have caught the imagination of millions and will be commemorated for ages.” [3]Red Cross Journal 

She was an inspiring figure aiming to help soldiers indiscriminately whilst saving lives from the bloody war- a real hero of the initial year of the World War One.

Want to know more? Use these links: 

Edith Cavell - The National Archives

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[1] Archives (2016). Edith Cavell - Archives. [online] Norfolk.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/local-history/edith-cavell [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

 

[2] Grey, O. (2020). This Under-Recognized WWI Nurse Sacrificed Her Life to Save Over 200 Allied Soldiers. [online] explorethearchive.com. Available at: https://explorethearchive.com/edith-cavell.

 

[3] Red Cross (n.d.). Remembering Edith Cavell: a brave British Red Cross nurse. [online] British Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/our-movement/our-history/remembering-edith-cavell-a-brave-first-world-war-nurse.