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Postcard showing the grave of Edith Cavell in Brussels - 1
c. 1915Overview
A grayscale real photo postcard showing the grave of Edith Cavell in Brussels being visited by three men, including an American soldier in uniform.
The grave is sited in front of a forested embankment which is bordered by a timber railed fence from which wreaths are suspended and a British flag hung. There is white sign at the front which is written in French and was placed by the Belgian Red Cross.
The postcard has a pencil inscription on the reverse. The maker's name appears along the left side and the description of the card on the lower left.
Historical information
Edith Cavell served as a nurse with the Red Cross in Belgium before and during World War One. 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 story is detailed in an attached link to the Imperial War Museum.
This is one of four postcards purchased together relating to Edith Cavell and others who were executed by the Germans during World War One. Two, including this one, show her decorated grave in Brussels, another shows the cemetery where 41 martyrs including Edith Cavell were buried and the last is of a temporary monument erected in Brussels to commemorate Edith Cavell.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00907
Item type
Collectibles
Ephemera
Postcards
Souvenirs
Material
Card
Ink
Photographic Materials
Width
89 mm
Height or length
138 mm
Inscriptions and markings
On sign on front of card:
The French writing translates as :
"The Schaerbeek Committee
of the Belgian Red Cross
Miss Edith Cavell, Nurse
Victim of her patriotic devotion.
December 1918."
On reverse:
"24
A photo of the grave as I
saw it except for
the YANKS"
On left side of reverse:
"Ern. Thill, Bruxelles"
On lower left edge of reverse:
"Bruxelles. Tir National Cimetiere des victimes
de l'occupation allemande. Tombe de Miss Cavell"
Keywords
World War One
Commemoration
Nurse
Edith Cavell
Cemeteries
BELGIUM
History - Social
Postcards
Place made
Brussels, Belgium
Year
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Saturday, 6 June, 2026
Completeness
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Postcard showing the grave of Edith Cavell in Brussels - 1
Reverse of postcard showing the grave of Edith Cavell in Brussels - 1
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