Edith Cavell - A Most Generous Spirit

Nick Miller

Norwich Community History Club members are truly grateful to the man pictured above, Nick Miller, who, stepped in at the very last minute to do an improvised talk about the life of the great Edith Cavell at our last meeting. 

Monument commemorating Edith Cavell, outside Norwich Cathedral

To quote from 'Edith Cavell: 1865-1915', the most authoritative website about her life:

'Edith Cavell was the World War I British nurse who is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers in Brussels from all sides without distinction. She and Belgian and French colleagues helped over 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium

She was arrested, tried with 33 others by a German military court, found guilty of ‘assisting men to the enemy’ and shot by a German firing squad on October 12 1915'

[source: Edith Cavell McFadyen, Rev Phillip and Chamberlin, Rev David, "Edith Cavell 1865-1915 - A Norfolk Heroine" 1985, 1997- 2013. http://www.edithcavell.org.uk (Accessed 23rd January 2014)]

Nick spoke with feeling and authority about Edith Cavell's life. I think everyone present was moved by his account of this remarkable woman. Inspired by her Christian faith she was immensely selfless, resilient and brave. Near the very end of her life, imminently facing execution, her dignity, humanity and generosity of spirit were shine through in her now famous words:

"I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

Edith Cavell's grave is situated outside,
on the south-east side of Norwich Cathedral

If you wish to do further research about Edith Cavell a list of publications can be found on the website cited above. In addition, you may wish to visit Swardeston, the village nearby to Norwich where Edith was born and raised. 

Finally, following Nick's talk, I felt moved to visit Norwich Cathedral to pay my respects to Edith Cavell. The photographs used here were taken by me. Standing next to where her body lies I felt very humble. Hers was truly a life well lived. 

Postscript: our thanks must also go to club member, Tracy, who had the initiative to approach Nick, requesting that he step in as speaker on the day. Thanks!

© Colin Howey 2014

First World War Commemoration - New Online Resource

As part of the centenary commemoration for the First World War, the National Archives are making unit diaries from WW1 online. You can access these via the following link:

Unit Diaries

Norwich Now & 'Then'

Happy New Year to you! 

Norwich Community History Club members are enjoying a film about Norwich now and 'then' (entitled, 'Norwich Century'), made by colleagues of our very own Mike Hudson. Using the city's rich archive of old photographs, the film really made me realise how much of old Norwich survives, despite the best efforts of the tram company, German bombers and post-war planners. 

Watching the film, I am also struck by how the place names of the city reflect the different historic phases of the city's development - a point well made by one of our speakers Dr Nick Groves during his excellent talk about Norwich's medieval churches last year. 

* Sent 'live' from today's meeting

First Meeting of 2014

Storyteller, Dave Tonge, regaling History Club members
with tales during our final meeting of 2013

Welcome to 2014 - and a Happy New Year to you! Historians rely on the passing of time to keep them in business, and the dawning of yet another year has just made everything that has gone before a year older. 

Anyway, to the matter in hand: a reminder to members that we will be having our first meeting of 2014 on Tuesday 7th January. I look forward to catching up with you all. 

Best Wishes,

Colin