By CJ

Taken from the Battlefields of France, The Unknown Warrior now rests in peace in a tomb in Westminster Abbey, a national symbol of remembrance for those who fell in service during the horrific battles of the First World War ... the war to end all wars.

A new exhibition at the Grand Hotel in Folkestone tells the story of his journey.

After arrival back home in England, on 10th November 1920, his coffin was taken from Dover Docks to London's Victoria Station, where it lay overnight before internment in the presence of King George V in Westminster Abbey.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway (KESR) have recently restored the carriage used, known as the Cavell Van, South Eastern & Chatham Railway passenger luggage van No. 132, following a £35,000 restoration appeal.

The basic design principle for the interior of the Cavell Van was to replicate as far as possible its appearance on 10th November 1920.

The van interior has a display with the replica of the Unknown Warrior's coffin, constructed by KESR volunteers, placed upon a catafalque covered by a Union flag.

The replica coffin is decorated in the same way as the original with metal bands, sword and plaque.

The exhibition at the Grand accompanies Step Short march down the Road of Remembrance, this Sunday (7 August).

Full details of the above can be seen at the KESR website

Other useful links

Step Short website [4]
Dover War Memorial project website

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