Exhibition: Edith Cavell in her own voice
Tues-Thurs until 23 Dec 2025
Location: Library
Edith Cavell in her own voice aims to tell the story of Norfolk nurse and First World War heroine Edith through her own words, paintings and possessions, rather than through the propaganda that followed her execution by the Germans on October 12 1915 for helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape occupied Belgium.
The exhibition is open 10am-4pm Tuesdays to Thursdays and will also be open 10am-2pm on Saturday 11 October and 1pm-3pm on Sunday 12 October as part of the Edith Cavell 110 weekend.
Among the most famous pictures of Edith is one of her sitting with her two dogs, Don and Jack, and her faithful dog Jack is featured in the free exhibition in Norwich Cathedral Library.
Jack, a Belgian Shepherd, was a stray dog who became Edith’s companion during her time working as a nurse in Brussels, and he was looked after by Edith’s fellow nurses following her arrest and execution. He was later taken to the de Croy country estate in Belgium by Princess Mary de Croy. After his death in 1923, his embalmed body was sent to the Norfolk branch of the Red Cross, and he is now looked after by Imperial War Museums who have kindly allowed him to be part of the Edith Cavell in her own voice exhibition.
Another extremely poignant item on display is the communion set which the Revd Stirling Gahan used to administer Holy Communion to Edith Cavell on the night before her execution, and also the 1915 diary of the Revd Stirling Gahan which includes accounts of his meetings with Edith Cavell while she was imprisoned.
The exhibition is part of Norwich Cathedral’s Edith Cavell 110 commemorations marking the 110th anniversary of Edith’s death, and a special weekend of events will be taking place at the Cathedral on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October.
The free exhibition Edith Cavell in her own voice is on display in Norwich Cathedral Library until Tuesday 23 December.
The exhibition is open 10am-4pm Tuesdays to Thursdays and will also be open 10am-2pm on Saturday 11 October and 1pm-3pm on Sunday 12 October.