1-155-888 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Edith Cavell with her pet dogs, c1915. Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was born in Norfolk, England, and devoted herself to nursing from the age of 20. In 1907 she was appointed matron of the Berkendael Medical Institute, Brussels. In World War I, during the German occupation of Belgium, the Berkendael Institute was converted to a military hospital. In August 1915 Cavell was arrested by the Germans and tried and found guilty of assisting the escape of 200 Allied soldiers to neutral Holland. She was executed by a firing squad on October 12, 1915.