Edith Cavell Mourning Card

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Burgess Printer

1919

Overview

Mourning card printed in memory of British nurse Edith Cavell as a memento at the time of Nurse Cavell's burial at Norwich Cathedral on 15 May 1919.
The card is white with black and silver borders. The front cover shows a wreath of ivy containing the words 'In Loving memory'.
The inside leaves have text including a dedication, poem, a portrait of Edith Cavell and the printer's details.

Historical information

Edith Cavell served as a nurse with the Red Cross in Belgium before and during World War I. On August 5, 1915 she was arrested by the Germans on the charge of assisting allied troops to escape to Holland. After being held for nine weeks, Edith confessed and was brought to trial. She was sentenced to death by firing squad, along with her accomplice Philippe Baucq, and was executed on 12 October 1915.
Her execution received widespread media coverage and on 12 October 1918 Queen Alexandra unveiled a memorial in Tombland, Norwich. The memorial was moved in 1993 to beside the Erpingham Gate, near Norwich Cathedral.
After the War her body was brought back to England and after a service at Westminster Abbey was interred at Norwich Cathedral on 15 May 1919..
Her story is detailed in an attached link to the Imperial War Museum.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00051

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Width

75 mm

Height or length

110 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Front cover:

"In Loving Memory"

On left inside open card:

In
Loving memory
of
NURSE
EDITH CAVELL

Who was murdered by the
Germans at Brussels
October 12th 1915"

"Buried at Norwich Cathedral
May 15th 1919"

"Loved by all who knew her"

On right inside open card:

"Abide with me; fast fall the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee;
Help of the helpless, O abide with me."

"I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless,
Ills' have no weigh and tears no bitterness,
Where is death's sting; Where grave the Victor,
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me."

Burgess Printer York Place Strand

Keywords

Commemoration

Nurse

First World War

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

1919

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance