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from Manchester Evening News 24 April 2002
 War angels's tribute saved from flames
A BRASS plaque dedicated to a
nurse who gave her life for others
during World War I has been saved
from destruction by a sharp-eyed
businessman.
John Charlton spotted the etched tablet in Old Trafford as it was about to be
melted down.
It was in memory of Edith Cavell, a Manchester nurse who was executed in Belgium
during the war for helping prisoners escape.
Mr Charlton, 49, of Bromwich Street, Bolton, who deals in hydraulic tippers, was so
taken with it he swapped some scrap metal
for it and had it cleaned and polished.
He researched Edith’s life and now wants
to find out where the plaque has come from.
He said: “It is a marvellous piece of craftsmanship. If you wanted to have it done now
it would probably cost £300 or £400 pounds, but it only had a scrap value of £2.
"I would be happy
to give it to any of Edith’s surviving family if
they wanted it, or to a museum who could
give it a good home."
Edith was Matron at the Manchester and
Salford Sick Poor and Private Nursing Institution in 1901.
When Belgium found itself under German
occupation she sheltered British and French
soldiers and helped them flee to Holland. She
was arrested and executed in 1915.
Anyone who knows more about the plaque
can call Mr Charlton on 01204 572801.
 | Note - the inscription reads: This tablet is erected in memory of the work done in Manchester by Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed at Brussels by order of the German military authorities on the night of October 11th 1915
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