Channel 4 programme to feature Cavell Van's poignant Remembrance return to Dover
The moving story of the historic Cavell Van's return to the Port of Dover during last year's Remembrance commemorations is set to be featured in the new series of Channel 4's popular documentary, Dover 24/7 - Britain's Busiest Port.
The programme, which began airing on Monday 22nd June, will include the Cavell Van's emotional visit to Dover as part of the final episode of Series 2, due to be broadcast on Monday 10th August.
The episode will highlight the van's poignant return to the port in November, commemorating its important role in First World War history and the Remembrance events that marked the occasion.
The Cavell Van played a central role in the Dover Remembrance event in November 2025
Photo: Derrick Bilsby
Pictured (L to R): Colin Duncan, longstanding Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) member; Norman Brice, former K&ESR Chairman and Project Manager of the Cavell Van Restoration Project; Derrick Bilsby current K&ESR Chairman; Elliott Waters, Project Manager at South Eastern Railway and longstanding K&ESR volunteer
The Cavell Van occupies a unique place in both British railway history and the nation's remembrance story. In November 1920, it carried the body of the Unknown Warrior from Dover to London ahead of his burial in Westminster Abbey, becoming part of one of the country's most significant acts of remembrance.
The vehicle had already played an important role during the First World War, transporting the bodies of two other national figures. These were nurse Edith Cavell, who was executed for helping Allied soldiers escape, and merchant seaman Captain Charles Fryatt, who was executed by the Germans in 1916.
The documentary follows the van's emotional return to the Port of Dover, documenting its journey from its home at Bodiam Station to the former Dover Marine station, where it became the centrepiece of a special Remembrance event. Now known as Cruise Terminal 1, the historic station was the starting point of the Unknown Warrior's final journey to London.
Following the service, the Cavell Van remained at the terminal for several days, giving members of the public the opportunity to see the historic vehicle up close and learn more about its remarkable story from volunteers at the Kent & East Sussex Railway.
The Cavell Van's return to Dover was made possible through a partnership between the Port of Dover, Southeastern, the Kent & East Sussex Railway and the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum. The collaboration also gave the Channel 4 production team rare behind-the-scenes access to film both the historic journey and the people who helped make the event possible.
Derrick Bilsby, Chairman of the Kent & East Sussex Railway, attended the event alongside representatives from the railway and the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum and was among those featured during filming. He said:
"The return of the van to Dover was an incredibly moving occasion and we’re delighted that this and its important story will be shared with a national television audience. It is far more than a railway vehicle; it is a powerful symbol of remembrance and service, with direct links to some of the most poignant events in 20th century British history.
"The producers recognised the emotional significance of the story, making it a fitting conclusion for the series.
“We hope that railway enthusiasts, those interested in history and the wider public will enjoy seeing this remarkable piece of heritage and learning more about its unique place in our nation's story."
The Cavell Van is on continuous display at Bodiam Station as a museum exhibit and place for quiet reflection, featuring a replica of the Unknown Warrior's coffin. It remains one of the most significant surviving railway vehicles associated with Britain's Remembrance heritage.
The episode of Dover 24/7 – Britain's Busiest Port featuring the Cavell Van will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Monday 10 August. Viewers should check local listings for transmission details.