Edith Cavell

WW1 nurse whose death started the flame of Valor

Executed for helping 200 POWS escape

Edith Cavell was a British nurse who helped heal the wounded in Belgium during WW1. Not discriminating between German and Allied soldiers, she treated both sides equally. Upon seeing the need to help British prisoners escape captivity, she set up a rally point and (with her dog Jack) guided the POWS to safety. Caught helping the Allies, she was tried as a traitor and executed by firing squad. Her death set up a propaganda campaign that fueled even Americans who heard of it. More importantly, her death directly inspired another nurse in WW2, Andree de Jongh to do the same thing in 1943 more than 28 years later, going from the example of her heroine Edith Cavell. Edith’s final words tell of her character: “My patriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred in my heart nor bitterness towards anyone.”

The flame of Valor started by Edith burned through two world wars. Valor is in you. Set it free.