Melanie Gibson-Barton gave an illustrated talk on The life and times of Edith Cavell, the British heroine who died in Brussels in 1915. This is one of a suite of talks by Melanie about the history and culture of Belgium.
She described Edith’s childhood in Norfolk, her training as a nurse and her appointment as a matron at a new training school for nurses in Brussels in 1907. The Great War interrupted Edith’s nursing career and drew her into a world of helping Allied soldiers escape to neutral Holland. This led to the Germans arresting and charging Edith with treason and executing her at dawn on 12th October 1915. A world-wide outcry ensured that her name was not forgotten.
Melanie’s talk was enriched by her personal knowledge of the Brussels area and of hospitals and homes where Edith would have worked, as well as the place of her execution.
Report by Michael Lucas
Next Meeting
Wednesday 20th November 2019
Electoral records and poll books
A documents and sources talk by Else Churchill
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Closure of Thanet Branch
As previously advised, the branch will cease to hold meetings at the end of 2019.
The last meeting on 11th December 2019 will NOT be open to non-members.
It will be held at 7.30pm and will be a Christmas Party for Members only who have also booked to attend.
We aim to make this last meeting something of a celebration of the branch. As it will be substantially subsidised this year, with food provided, it is most important that any member wishing to attend books in advance, by having his or her name added to the list being taken to our meetings in October and November.
Or you can let us know at the latest, by 30 November by Email
Michael Lucas, Thanet Branch Chairman of KFHS