The Edith Cavell memorial room

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 30 May 2018

It is adjacent to St Mary's church > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1353225 in Swardeston and houses information and memorabilia of Edith Cavell, who was born in the village. For a view of the commemorative plaque see > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5791635. Edith Louisa Cavell was born on 4 December 1865 at Cavell House in the village of Swardeston in South Norfolk where she is remembered in the village church. A plaque near her grave at Life's Green in the Norwich Cathedral Close informs that “As matron of a hospital in Brussels she tended with great devotion the wounded of enemy and allied forces alike. For helping many of our men to escape she was sentenced to death and was shot on October 12, 1915.” On the night before her death her last words are said to have been: “Standing as I do in view of God and eternity I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” Her body was exhumed from her execution site in 1919 and given a military escort to Dover and then on to Westminster Abbey for a memorial ceremony. She was finally laid to rest at Life's Green > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5792109 in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral. According to evidence recently uncovered by Dame Stella Rimington, the former director-general of MI5, the Cavell organisation was involved in espionage and it has been documented that not only were key members of her network in touch with Allied intelligence agencies, but there is also clear evidence that Cavell's organisation was involved in sending secret intelligence to the Allied forces.

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