CAVELL, EDITH LOUISA (1865-1915), British nurse, was born Dec. 4, 1865, at Swardeston, Norfolk. She entered the London Hospital as a probationer in 1895. In 5907 she was ap pointed the first matron of the Berkendael Medical Institute, Brussels, which became a Red Cross hospital on the outbreak of the World War. From Nov. 1914 to July 1915 wounded and derelict English and French soldiers were hidden from the Ger mans by Prince Reginald de Croy at his château near Mons, thence conveyed to the houses of Edith Cavell and others in Brussels, and furnished by them with money to reach the Dutch frontier, with the aid of guides obtained through Philippe Baucq. On Aug. 5 Edith Cavell was arrested and imprisoned. She ad mitted having sheltered and helped to convey to the frontier some 200 English, French and Belgians. A court-martial was held (Oct. 7 and 8) and a Belgian lawyer, M. Sadi Kirschen, de fended Edith Cavell. On Oct. 9 Edith Cavell and Philippe Baucq were sentenced to death with three others who were afterwards reprieved. Despite efforts to obtain a reprieve in which Mr. Brand Whitlock, the U.S. Minister at Brussels, was active, Edith Cavell and Philippe Baucq were shot on Oct. 12. Miss Cavell, who had tended many wounded German soldiers with devoted care, faced the firing squad with a dignity which moved the world. To the British chaplain who administered a final sacrament, she made the remark, "patriotism is not enough," which at once be came as historic as Nelson's utterance at Trafalgar. On May 15, 1919 her body was removed to Norwich Cathedral, after a me morial service in Westminster Abbey. A memorial statue stands opposite the National Portrait Gallery, London.
See The Case of Miss Cavell from the Unpublished Documents of the Trial, interpreted by Ambroise Got (1920) ; Sadi Kirschen, Devant les Conseils de Guerre allemands (1919) ; Correspondence with the United States Ambassador respecting the Execution of Miss Cavell at Brussels, Cd. 8013, Stationery Office (1915) .