NURSE EDITH CAVELL

Edith Cavell (1865 – 1915)At the age of 30, Cavell joined the London Hospital as a probationer and nursed in England for a time before nursing in Brussels. In 1907 she was appointed as Matron to the Berkendael Medical Institute (Brussels) where she worked at developing a small clinic into a teaching hospital with an international reputation.

During 1914 the Germans invaded Belgium and she remained to care for the sick of every nationality, by converting the hospital into a Red Cross Hospital. For some time the Hospital became a staging post for allied soldiers on the escape from the German armies. Cavell was betrayed and in August 1915 was arrested for harbouring the enemy and helping them to escape.

She was court-martialled by the German occupying troops, and sentenced to be shot at dawn. Despite all efforts to save her, in October 1915 the sentence was carried out in secret.

Her last words were reputed to be: Standing as I do before God and Eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.