“Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”
Edith Louisa Cavell (1865 to 1915)
A British nurse working in Belgium during World War I. She cared for all the wounded, regardless of nationality, and was greatly criticised by many at the time for assisting the German and Austrian soldiers, when they were fighting against the British.
Edith soon began to work with others to smuggle the Allied soldiers under her care, out of the hospital and across the border to neutral Holland. It is believed that she saved the lives of over 200 men thanks to her bravery.
After a lengthy investigation, the suspicions of the German Officials grew and Edith, along with others, was arrested and sent to trial. Edith was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death by firing squad.
At dawn on 12 October 1915, despite international pressure for mercy, Edith Cavell was put to death by a German firing squad.
Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage. Her image and story were widely used in propaganda and recruitment posters encouraging British soldiers to sign up to the war effort.