Norah Elizabeth Hughes, later Norah Kirk, lived a remarkable life. In the telling of her story, we discover her early career, from her training at the Mildmay Mission Hospital in London to her dedication as a medical missionary’s wife in China and her subsequent return to England.
Extracts from her memoir, written later in life, reveal a determined young woman drawn to missionary work. Initially facing resistance from her family, she found a compromise – training as a nurse at Mildmay.
Norah's memoir offers a glimpse into life at Mildmay Hospital in the early 1900s. Norah describes her training, the strictures of the time, and her interactions with patients. An amusing anecdote details the bygone practice of nurses wearing long skirts to ensure their ankles remained hidden!
During her training, Norah met John Kirk, a junior medical officer at Mildmay, and they were married in Hong Kong after Norah completed her training in 1907.
Following their marriage, the couple embarked on a journey of service in China with the Canton Villages Mission. Norah’s nursing skills proved invaluable, and she played a crucial role in supporting her husband’s medical work. She was herself a resourceful and engaged missionary, as made apparent from her letters.
Tributes from colleagues and family paint a picture of a dedicated nurse, a supportive wife, and a woman of strong faith. She is remembered for her work ethic, her wit, and her unwavering commitment to helping others.
Norah’s story extends far beyond her time at Mildmay. "Norah's experiences at Mildmay were used both for work with patients and training local nurses, in addition to caring for and initial home education of their three children", says Norah's Grandson, Ian.
To learn more about her fascinating life and missionary service in China, you can visit her dedicated page in our Staff Stories.
We are grateful to Norah’s grandson, Ian W, for the invaluable contribution of his grandmother’s story and archival materials to the Mildmay collection. Thanks to his generosity, future generations can learn about Norah’s remarkable life and dedication to serving others.