Edith Cavell to feature on Royal Mint's new £5 coin

Edith Cavell

The Royal Mint's new £5 coin commemorating the First World War will feature British nurse and Christian Edith Cavell.

Cavell, the daughter of a vicar in Swardeston, served as a nurse in occupied Belgium and cared for soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

She was executed by the Germans in 1915 for helping Allied soldiers escape to neutral Netherlands. She was 49.

On the night before her execution by firing squad, Cavell was granted Holy Communion and she told the Anglican chaplain, the Reverend Stirling Gahan, the words that she is best remembered for: "Patriotism is not enough; I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

article Related

After her execution, her body was returned to Britain for burial at Norwich Cathedral. Thousands turned out to pay their respects at her funeral procession.

The coin comes after members of her family petitioned the Treasury asking that Cavell be honoured on a new £2 coin. The petition was signed by 110,000 people.

Treasury minister Nicky Morgan said: "She showed true bravery by helping injured soldiers, regardless of their nationality, and it is right that she should be honoured as a British hero.

"She risked her life to help Allied forces escape and in doing so paid the ultimate price. It is important that we remember the sacrifices made by so many people in different ways during the war."

related articles
Christians in the First World War: Edith Cavell, the nurse who was executed for helping soldiers
Christians in the First World War: Edith Cavell, the nurse who was executed for helping soldiers

Christians in the First World War: Edith Cavell, the nurse who was executed for helping soldiers

News
Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings
Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings

The Church of England's House of Bishops has postponed a final decision on the Living in Love and Faith process as it continues to work on proposals. 

Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas
Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas

Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith from BRF Ministries, has some helpful tips for families to connect with God in the midst of the "December tornado".

Half of Armenian archbishops have been thrown in jail
Half of Armenian archbishops have been thrown in jail

The Armenian government has been in conflict with the church for a number of years now.

Catholics in Mozambique caring for survivors of Jihadist violence
Catholics in Mozambique caring for survivors of Jihadist violence

International attention on Mozambique is scarce.