Postcard showing the 'Cemetery of the victims of the German occupation' in Brussels

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Ern. Thill

c. 1915

Overview

A grayscale real photo postcard showing the Tir National (National Shooting Range) cemetery in Schaerbeek, Brussels.
The firing range barrier can be seen in the background and the graves of those recently executed at the location in the foreground. Three men are standing among the graves, including two in uniform.
Edith Cavell's grave is second from the right at the back and is recognisable from the large number of dark coloured wreaths. Other graves are decorated with crosses and flowers.
The description of the card is written across the top.
The postcard has a pencil inscription on the reverse. The maker's name appears along the left side.

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 show her decorated grave in Brussels, another shows a temporary monument erected in Brussels to commemorate Edith Cavell, while this one shows the cemetery where 41 martyrs including Edith Cavell were buried.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00910

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Postcards

Souvenirs

Material

Card

Ink

Photographic Materials

Width

137 mm

Height or length

88 mm

Inscriptions and markings

At top of front of card:

"Bruxelles Tir National. Cimetiere des victimes de l'occupation allemande. Vue d'ensemble des 41 tombes" which translates to "Brussels National Shooting Range. Cemetery of the victims of the German occupation. Overview of the 41 graves."

On reverse of card:

"22
The grave yard of the
41 martyrs. Nurse
Cavell's grave is right in the rear
along to the right, the one with
the dark wreath"

Keywords

World War One

Commemoration

Nurse

Edith Cavell

Cemeteries

BELGIUM

Postcards

History - Social

Place made