Material Type

Mixed Media

Date Range

no date

Creator

Hing, Albert King, Alan

Physical Description

4 items

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

Edith Louisa Cavell was born at Swardeston, Norfolk, England on 4 December 1865. She received her early education from her father, Reverend Frederick Cavell. At age 13 Edith Cavell left home to further her education. At age 18 she became a children's governess in Brussels, Belgium. In 1890 Miss Cavell returned to England to nurse her father, who was seriously ill. After his recovery, she decided to enter the nursing profession, and was a nursing supervisor during the 1897 typhoid epidemic in Maidstone, England. In 1907 Miss Cavell was appointed Matron of the Berkendael Institute, a school for lay nurses on the outskirts of Brussels. She was home to visit her mother in Norfolk when World War 1 began in 1914. Edith Cavell decided to return to her work in Belgium despite the risks posed by the war. On 15 August 1915 Miss Cavell was arrested by the Germans, who were occupying Belgium. Charged with assisting enemy (Allied) servicemen to escape, she was executed by firing squad on 12 October 1915 in the Tir National Cemetery in Brussels, now called the Enclo des Fusilees. Her last words were reported to be "Standing as I do, in the view of God and eternity, I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no bitterness toward anyone." Buried at the site of her execution, Edith Cavell's remains were moved on 15 May 1919 to Lifes Green, Norwich Cathedral Close, England. King George V attended the re-interment ceremony. Memorials and tributes were made to Edith Cavell in Belgium, England, France, the United States and Canada. The Canadian tributes include Mount Edith Cavell and Cavell Meadows in Jasper National Park. Cavell memorabilia is displayed in the Church of St. Mary and St. George in Jasper, Alberta. In 1922 a bronze memorial was erected to Edith Cavell's memory by the Societa Italo Canadese at the corner of College Street and University Avenue in Toronto, Ontario. Finally, the Edith Cavell Nursing Home in Lethbridge is named in her honour. (Source: "The Nurse" by Alan King)

Language

English

Acquisition Source

King, Alan

Scope and Content

Research information about the life of Edith Louisa Cavell. The information includes a biographical note, illustrations and an explanation of the awards Miss Cavell received during her life, and colour prints of a memorial to her and of her grave.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20021045000

Collection

Archive

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