"DAWN-OCTOBER 12 1915"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17483, 29 May 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

"DAWN-OCTOBER 12 1915"

J CAVELL MEMORIAL UNVEILED. - ' QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S TRIBUTE. Queen .Alexandra paid a noble tribute , ; to. the memory of Nurse Edith Cavell • when she unveiled the Cavell Memorial ,; Statue in St. Martin's-plac/j, West- £ minster. I From two flagstaff flanking the : .covered figure of the heroine floated j the * Union. Jack and the Belgian jV colours, and round the bass stood a great croud of uniformed nurses from all the ' London hospital, and behind them » fa-med up the Coldstrcams' guard of honour. ' Lord Burnbara, chairman of the memorial committee, received the Queen, and in £* brief statement remarked that the statue, wbkh was designed by Sir George Franrplonj ivy 40ft. high*, and weighed • 175 tons.' In letters of gold at the front were in- i scribed "Ldtfh Cavell," and beneath them. "Brussels, Dawn— 12, 1915." A British lion trampling on a jerpant, the symbol of Envy and Treath- . cry, was wrought upon, the rear c ',nel beneath the words "Faithful unto Death," while four panels were worded : "Humanity, Sacrifice, Devotion, Fortitude." In reply to the address handed to her • Queen Alexandra said :—- 'The countless thousands who will pass .this spot in. our, time and in future generations will think! with sorrow of her cruel death, with pride of her splendid fortitude and with affection of • her unselfish and womanly character. Tho e.xsmple of Miss Kdith Cavell's life will,be always before us. and her name will remain 'honoured mid revered throughout, the Empire." Particularly impressive was the scene following the actual unveiling. As the calm features, steadfast with high resolve, were revealed to the ?reat crowd which stood silent with emotion, the soft music * of the bands, playing the hymn, "Abide with Me," stole down the "human aisle which led Wards the open square, and it was noted that many were moved to [ fears, men as well as women.