Biographical
Registration number:
Surname:
Kirk née Hughes
First name(s):
Norah Elizabeth
Address(es):
Dublin, Ireland 1907-08; c/o PCNZ Mission Committee 1908-28 (including 2 furloughs in NZ & UK); Edinburgh 1928-29; London (various homes) 1920-1962.
Date of registration:
Qualifications:
Mildmay Mission Hospital September 1904 - October 1907
Notes:
Norah Elizabeth Hughes is my maternal Grandmother. My Grandfather, Dr. John Kirk, was also working at Mildmay, completing his practical training after studying at Edinburgh.
Norah wrote a memoir summarising how John wrote her a letter, against all the rules at that time, that led them to becoming engaged.
After completing his training, John travelled to visit relatives in New Zealand and that in turn led to their wedding in Hong Kong soon after Norah completed her training.
They then served together for 21 years in the Canton Villages Mission of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, before returning to the UK so their three children could complete their education.
'Staff Stories' link:
Personal details
Date of birth:
11 August 1881
Place of birth:
Dublin
Date of death:
16 February 1962
Place of death:
Edgware, Middlesex
Additional personal details:
Married Dr. John Kirk, previously House Surgeon at Mildmay, 2 Oct. 1908, Hong Kong.
Children: daughter b Dunedin,1913 - during their1st furlough; son, stillborn Hong Kong 1916 – his grave is still there; son b Canton, 1919; son, b Edinburgh, 1922 – during their 2nd furlough.
Professional details
Work experience:
Probationer Nurse (unpaid), Mildmay, Sept. 1904-March 1907
Medical & surgical nursing in adult and children’s wards and Outpatients Dept.
Staff Nurse, Mildmay, March-October 1907 (salary £1/month).
Ko Tong Hospital (rural area, near Canton) – sited adjacent to village animal market; 30-40 beds, consulting room, dispensary, surgery, operating room, waiting rooms, doctors’ residence.
Kong Tsuen hospital, site in fields 1.5 miles from Ko Tong village; larger premises, included staff accommodation and Nursing school; opened in stages 1917-18.
Sources:
We are grateful to Ian W for generously sharing his family's history.
