If you find yourself in Trafalgar Square, take a stroll uphill toward Leicester Square, give a nod to St Martin-in-the-fields and when you’re just about opposite the National Portrait Gallery entrance, you’ll find yourself looking at a memorial statue to one Edith Cavell.

Like any city where you may spend a size-able amount of time either working or living, it’s easy to grow accustomed to the various memorials that may be dotted along your daily route but this one is worth stopping for.

In the First World War, Edith Cavell was a nurse in Brussels with a well-earned reputation for training younger nurses from neighbouring hospitals, schools and kindergartens. When the German army occupied Brussels, she and colleagues began sheltering British soldiers followed by French soldiers and then Belgian and French civilians. She would care for them and provide them with money before directing them to the Dutch border. Her actions, however, meant that she had violated German Military law and nearly a year later she was arrested, charged with treason, brought before a court-martial and with a confession she had given freely, found guilty. The sentence was death by firing squad. On the day before the sentence was carried out, she stated, “Standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough.
I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” Words enshrined in the memorial.

She was executed on 12 October 1915.

There is no doubt that countless men and women have paid the ultimate price in serving their countries over the years but to fight back while refusing to take up arms or kill, knowing what the dangers are, takes a particular strength and resilience. One that still inspires today.