by Rebecca Hannant
A blue plaque has been unveiled in Withernsea in honour of a long-serving nurse who was the sister of First World War hero Edith Cavell.
On Saturday, September 14, the plaque was unveiled at 227 Queen Street, the former home of Florence Cavell, watched by a crowd of spectators including South East Holderness councillor Lyn Healing and representatives of Withernsea Town Council.
Florence Mary Scott Cavell (1867-1950) was born in Swardeston, Norfolk, and had two sisters and a brother. All three sisters trained at the Royal London Hospital and became nurses.
Edith, who was two years older than Florence, is remembered for saving the lives of more than 200 soldiers on both sides of the war. She was later charged with treason and executed by a German firing squad in October 1915.
In 1913, Florence moved to Withernsea to take up the post of matron at the Hull and East Riding Convalescent Home. Following the death of her sister, Florence wanted to keep her memory alive and worked tirelessly to realise Edith’s dream of a home for convalescing nurses.
In 1920, a garden fete was held by the Withernsea branch of the National British Women’s Temperance Association (NBWTA), which saw the organisation raise funds for the Edith Cavell Homes of Rest for Nurses. Florence’s efforts meant that six such convalescent homes were established.
Florence retired from hospital life in 1946. Three years later, while visiting Leeds for Christmas, she was hit by a car and suffered serious head injuries. She was admitted to Leeds General Infirmary and x-rayed to see if she had fractured her skull. Fortunately, she had not and was allowed to return to her home at 227 Queen Street.
The property was later owned by town councillor Brian Cloke and, since 2021, it has been the home of Darrin Stevens and his wife, Flo Fogg-Stevens.
The following summer, Florence died peacefully in the Hull and East Riding Convalescent Home. She was buried in the grounds of St Nicholas Church and her grave, on the right-hand side behind the clock tower, can still be visited today.
To preserve her story, Darrin, along with fellow Withernsea resident Godfrey Homes, decided to arrange for a blue plaque to be installed at her former home. The full cost of the plaque was nearly £750, but Godfrey and Darrin are asking for a donation of £250 towards the cost of professional installation and coating to protect it from the weather.
The wording on the plaque was created by Godfrey, with the design by Darrin. The plaque depicts a violet, which was Edith’s favourite flower.
Darrin said: “It is a fitting tribute to Florence’s service to the town. I think it would be fitting that Withernsea Town Council help with this cost so that it can be used to advertise why we have such a good heritage enhanced by these great people of Withernsea.
“It’s an opportunity for us all to be part of this amazing town through our history – two amazing women along with our very own Kay Kendall lifting the spirits of our town.”
The plaque was unveiled by Withernsea resident Doris Cook, who also trained at the Royal London Hospital.
She said: “Having been a nurse and midwife at the Royal London Hospital more than 50 years ago, it is an honour to be asked to unveil this plaque in memory of Florence. Both Florence and Edith trained at the Royal London some 50 years before me.”
