A phone call, a pushbike, and a very sick child: Mildmay in the Blitz
In June 1943, Peter Jones had been a qualified doctor for one day when his phone rang. An old friend needed a locum at Mildmay - immediately. Peter got on his pushbike and cycled through the City. By that evening, he was in sole charge of a critically ill two-year-old in the pre-antibiotic era, working from a textbook, in a hospital surrounded by Blitz ruins.
4 days ago3 min read
A note thrown into the fire: Norah Kirk's Mildmay story
In 1904, a young Irish woman named Norah Hughes arrived at Mildmay to train as a nurse. She left three years later, qualified and engaged to a junior doctor, after a hidden note, a ward fire, and a matron who surprised everyone. She went on to spend two decades in China, training nurses and running a medical mission. Her story is now part of our Staff Stories archive.
Jul 32 min read
"Don't forget, nurse, no running except for fire": remembering Mildmay in 1955
In 1955, Pam arrived at Mildmay as a student nurse. She trained across three sites, Mildmay, the London Hospital, and Kingston, living in cold rooms near Shoreditch Church and a concrete hostel in Hoxton.
She remembers ward walls lined with Bible texts, daily Quiet Time, and the grey cape with its purple lining that was recognised across east London. Seventy years on, her memories are sharp, warm, and anchored in a hospital that was already something singular.
Jun 262 min read
From a cholera outbreak in the East End to International Impact
We have come a long way since 1866, caring for the sick and their dependents during the last major outbreak of cholera in the East End.
Mar 13, 20252 min read
Mildmay Deaconesses: Remembering Their Sacrifice and Pioneering Nursing Service
We’ve added Miss Marshall’s death certificate to our archives, honouring her 16 years of service as a Mildmay Deaconess.
Feb 3, 20252 min read
A rare glimpse into Our Early History
An album of historical photos was recently donated to Mildmay, offering rare glimpses into our past.
Jan 28, 20252 min read
Preserving History: the National HIV Story Trust Archive & Mildmay Hospital’s Role in the AIDS Crisis
Mildmay’s role during the 1980s AIDS crisis is preserved in the National HIV Story Trust Archive at the London Archives.
Jan 22, 20253 min read
Norah Elizabeth Hughes' Story
A determined young woman drawn to missionary work - initially facing resistance from her family, she trained as a nurse at Mildmay.
Mar 26, 20242 min read
New Names in the Archive: Unveiling Mildmay's History One Photo At a Time
We're thrilled to share another update from the archive, thanks to the fantastic research of Andy "K" into his family history...
Mar 19, 20241 min read
From the archive: Queen Mary open's new outpatient building in 1938
In May 1938, Queen Mary visited the hospital to open the new Outpatients, drawing national attention to Mildmay.
Mar 12, 20242 min read
