Edith Cavell was a British nurse who is remembered for helping injured soldiers of all nationalities during World War One.
Edith saved the lives of soldiers from all sides without distinction. She also actively helped soldiers escape from German soldiers who were looking to capture and imprison them. She was arrested for this, found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.
She was shot by the Germans in 1915. She famously said the day before her execution: ʺPatriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.ʺ Edith is still remembered today for her courage and compassion.
Edith Cavell. Patriotism is not enough. Edith was born in 1865. Her father was a vicar and taught her how important it was to help people.
When she was older, she moved to Belgium to become a governess and later travelled to Austria to find out about helping the sick.
She returned home to look after her ill father and decided to train as a nurse.
Later, she returned to Belgium and pioneered the training of nurses.
In 1914, whilst Edith was on holiday the Germans took control of Belgium.
She decided to return there as she felt her help was needed more than ever.
Edith nursed the soldiers at a Red Cross Hospital. It didn’t matter to her which country they came from.
She sheltered Allied soldiers in basement hideouts and helped them escape from the Germans into neutral Holland. The Germans found out about this and arrested Edith.
Her punishment was death. Many people tried to get her released, but they could not help.
The night before her execution, she told her chaplain that it was more important to care for everyone rather than be patriotic.
She was shot dead by a German firing squad on the twelfth of October 1915.
Edith is remembered for caring for soldiers no matter which side they fought for.
Edith Cavell
Edith decided to become a nurse after caring for her father when he fell ill. She trained at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel in 1896.
When World War One broke out between Britain and Germany, she went to Belgium to help soldiers who were hurt in the fighting. Edith did not mind whether they were British, French or German; she treated the injured, regardless of their nationality.
Edith also secretly helped 200 soldiers escape from German soldiers who were looking to capture them. When the Germans found out what she was doing, she was arrested.
She was questioned and admitted helping soldiers escape and return to fight against Germany. The Germans ordered for Edith to be shot as punishment.
After she died, a memorial ceremony was held for her at Westminster Abbey, before she was laid to rest in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral.
Most people now believe Edith was a hero. She gave up her life to help British, French and Belgian soldiers escape from the Germans, who wanted to capture and imprison them. She also helped many more soldiers recover from illness and injury.
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