Nurse Edith Cavell, a Red Cross Nurse, helped stranded British soldiers escape from Belgium after the 1st Battle of Mons. In 1915 she was betrayed and shot by the Germans

In October 1915, the death by firing squad of Edith Cavell, a nurse who had assisted in the escape of allied soldiers from German occupied Belgium, had profound consequences. When the details were published, recruiting figures for the Armed Forces in England doubled. Opinion in neutral countries was also affected – crucially in the USA.

From Norfolk to Brussels

Edith was the daughter of a Norfolk clergyman. She trained as a nurse in England but in 1907 while in her early forties, was put in charge of a pioneering scheme to train nurses in Brussels. When war was declared in 1914, Edith was at home on leave. She immediately returned to the clinic in Belgium which became a Red Cross Hospital. Edith instructed the Dutch, German and English nurses there to return home while impressing on those that remained that their first duty was to care for the wounded, irrespective of nationality.

The Retreat from Mons

The British Expeditionary Force made contact with the German Army at Mons on 23rd August 1914. Although the first German attack was heavily repulsed, they re-launched their assault and the British and French armies were soon retreating. The fighting during the withdrawal became disorganised and small groups of men were cut off from their units. Two British soldiers found their way to Nurse Cavell’s hospital where they were cared for. Others were to follow.

An Escape Route

Prince and Princess de Croy, Belgian aristocrats who lived at a Chateau in Mons, had established an underground escape route that enabled around 200 allied soldiers to reach safety in neutral Holland. With Edith’s connivance, the Hospital became part of this organisation although the terms of the Red Cross forbad such activity. The scheme ran for almost a year.

Betrayal and Confession

One of those who passed through Edith’s hands was a Belgian collaborator and consequently two members of the escape team were caught by the Germans in July 1915. Edith was later detained and interrogated. She was told that others had already confessed to their part in the escape system and believing this, Edith acknowledged her own involvement. In answer to a question at her subsequent trial, she accepted that she had “successfully conducted allied soldiers to the enemy of the German people.” This was a capital offence under the German Penal Code.

Patriotism Is Not Enough

The death sentences passed on Edith and others involved, were carried out despite strong pleas from the Ambassadors of neutral countries. Edith was quite composed throughout. On the last day she was seen by a British Chaplain, H. Stirling Gahan, whom she told that she gave her life willingly for her country. She said, “I have no fear, nor shrinking: I have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.” She added, “I realize that patriotism is not enough; I must have no hatred or bitterness toward anyone.”

The Final Hour

Before the Chaplain left, he partook of Holy Communion with Edith. He records, “At the close of the little service I began to repeat the words of (the hymn) Abide with Me and she joined softly in the end. In the early hours of 12th October 1915 a firing squad of eight men shot Edith at a range of six paces.

Coming Home

The whole affair caused a great sensation and the German High Command realised that they had handed the Allies a significant propaganda victory. After the war, in May 1919, Edith’s remains were brought back to England and were escorted with great ceremony from Dover to Westminster Abbey for the first part of the burial service. The coffin was then taken by train to Norwich and placed on a gun carriage. She lies in Life's Green, next toNorwich Cathedral and services are held there each year in her remembrance.

(A partly verified account later emerged describing how one member of the firing squad, Private Rimmel, threw down his rifle rather than shoot at Edith. He was himself shot by the Officer in charge and lay buried next to Edith until the end of the war.)

Sources

Vain Glory – Guy Chapman: Cassel 1937

Edith Cavell – Tribute Booklet: Swardeston PCC 1982

Britain and Her Army – Correlli Barnett: Cassel 1970