Cavell Van

The Cavell Van is a wooden passenger carriage built in 1919 at Ashford Works and displayed on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Its interior holds exhibits that document the role of railway transport during and after the war.

This railway carriage was built by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway and served after 1918 as transport for war dead. The carriage carried the remains of several people who died during the conflict, including notable victims of the fighting.

The van is named after nurse Edith Cavell and honors her execution during the war. Today, visitors can see how students have created an exhibition that tells the story of this period through displays in the carriage.

The carriage is accessible during regular operating hours of the Kent and East Sussex Railway and can be viewed with advance notice. Visitors should note that access sometimes depends on train schedules, so checking ahead is recommended.

The carriage was used in 1920 to transport the Unknown Warrior, one of only three vehicles employed for this historic ceremony. This makes it a rare witness to Britain's postwar remembrance rituals.

GPS coordinates: 51.07056,0.68528

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:21