Library image: SCOPIX –
The 19th century passenger luggage train van, built by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway, is returning to Dover’s historic Cruise Terminal 1 (former Marine Station) for the first time since its poignant journeys to London in 1919/1920.
Cavell Van Photo: Michael Roots, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cavell Van, which was fully restored in 2010, famously carried the bodies of Edith Cavell, Charles Fryatt and the Unknown Warrior, when they were repatriated to Britain following World War 1.
Diederik Smet, Placemaking, Events and Partnerships Manager at the Port of Dover said: “The Port is proud to have the Cavell Van on display in the exact location where it began its historic journeys to Westminster Abbey over 100 years ago. We will be opening the doors of Cruise Terminal 1 on select days from 7th to 16th November and are honoured to share this special event with the local community.”
The Cavell Van was used to transport the three British bodies repatriated at the end of World War 1 to London including Edith Cavell and Charles Fryatt in 1919, and the Unknown Warrior in 1920 for his funeral. The van is displayed on a real track, built by Network Rail, with assistance from Allelys Heavy Haulage. It served with the South Eastern and Chatham Railway, the Southern Railway and British Railways before entering preservation at the Kent and East Sussex Railway.