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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Soldiers.


qahtan

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My second posting tonight.

My Fathers coffin was draped with Nurse Cavells flag when he was buried in February 1943. My Mother said she was given a choice a new flag or Nurse Cavells.

Why was this.

He was in the Colstream Guards and was awarded the Albert Medal in 1918, or would have been because he was an Old Contemptibe. He is buried in the Guards enclosure, Brompton, London UK, by the Guards. qahtan

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Do you know the design of Nurse Cavell's flag? Something of which I have never heard and am intrigued to know its origin.

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Also it would be interesting to hear the details relating to his award of the Albert Medal - not a common award.

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Guest Hill 60
Do you know the design of Nurse Cavell's flag? Something of which I have never heard and am intrigued to know its origin.

I always assumed that 'Nurse Cavell's flag' was the Union Flag that was drapped over her coffin.

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Lee

Does that mean that you have seen other references to the Cavell flag?

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Guest Hill 60

Yes, I have seen references to it being used on the coffins of dead soldiers. I think it had something to do with the funeral of a VC winner, but I'm not sure.

I'll have look and see if I can find the reference again, unless another Pal can help.

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Just for information.

On the back of this photo following has been written: grave of nurse Cavell Brussels. In Brussels there are both a clinic and the street named after here. It is in Ukkel postal code 1180.

post-1-1056354005.jpg

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Jacky

It's amazing how the Edith Cavell story still excites attention after all these years - many people visit her grave at Norwich Cathedral and have questions about her life.

Thank you for posting that photo of the Cavell grave. It is one that I have not seen before - usual portrayals of the Brussels grave are with the wooden cross marker. Can you enlighten me please on the English equivalent of 'The Tir National' which I believe is where she was buried.

The identification of the flag will be interesting as there were probably several union flags used during the transport of her body back to England in 1919. Incidentally, it is said that the escort for the gun carriage to the Gare du Nord was of British Troops of the British Army of the Rhine, suggested and arranged by a Major B.L. Montgomery (later Field Marshall). This actually appears only in Rowland Ryder's book but I cannot find it elsewhere. With best wishes.

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I was going thorugh a local school log a few months ago and found the following entry for 15 May 1919 that may be of interest to this thread:

"The children were assembled in school yard at 9:15am to pay a silent respect to the remains of Nurse cavell whose body was taken past the school. The registers were not marked and after a few appropriate words, they (the children) were sent home for the morning".

This was repeated on 8 July 1919 for the body of Capt. Fryatt - a Mechant Navy Captain who was shot after being captured by the Germans.

The school was next to the main railway line linking Dover to London.

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Signals

What a nice piece! It ties in very well with this extract from Rowland Ryder's 'Edith Cavell' -

"The next stage of the journey was to London (from Dover), the train stopping at Folkestone and Ashford, The country stations were thronged with children, and men in the fields stood bare-headed as the train went by".

School log-books tend to be a neglected source of very detailed local information - especially when the teacher is interested in what was going on the parish as well as the school.

MAny thanks.

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Chris,

'Le Tir National' is a place where the National Military shooting contests took place. Installed in 1858 by Leopold I our first King. The winner could wear a badge on his uniform as 'tireur d'elite' (marksman). The badge itself was two crossed rifles with an inscription. Will ask a specialist about it as soon as possible but i think you have a general idea.

Jacky

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Sir. I am sorry I do not know any details of Nurse Cavells flag, at the time of my Fathers death I was 9 years old.

I only know what my Mother told me., that she was given the choice, Nurse Cavells or a new flag.

Unfortunately she passed away some 15 years ago, so I can get no further information on that.

I do have a copy of the Citation that appared in the

London Gazette, August 30, 1918.

Whitehall, August 28, 1918

The KING has been pleased to award the

ALBERT MEDAL in recognition of gallantry displayed in saving or endeavouring to save life :-

PRIVATE JAMES DUNN, COLDSTREAM GUARDS.

At a railhead in France, on the evening of 12th June1918, several trucks loaded with heavy amunition caught fire,

causing an explosion.

Several men were wounded, and lay underneath the burning trucks.

Dunn at once rushed forward, regardless of his own safety, and carried two of the wounded men to a sheltered trench close by, where he rendered them first aid. He then returned to the assistance of other wounded men, when another explosion took place.

Not with standing this, and in very grave danger of further explosions, he continued to assist the wounded

and helped rescue those who were lying helpless under the burning trucks.

His bravery, coolness and promt action undoubtedly saved several men from being burn to death.

***************

I also have a letter from HOME OFFICE 26 August 1982,

That the ALBERT MEDAL was presented to my Father by the late KING on the 13 November 1918. in recognition of his gallant conduct in saving life at Saulty- Larbret, France, 12, June 1918.

The KING at that time being KING GEORGE V.

Qahtan

.

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Guest Hill 60
Lee

Does that mean that you have seen other references to the Cavell flag?

Chris - I haven't forgotten about my search for the reference, but half my books etc are still in boxes in my parents' loft!

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