Obituary MISS M. THURSTON

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 2

Obituary MISS M. THURSTON

Miss Mabel Thurston C.8.E., RJI.C., who died in. England recently, was well-known to mgny New Zealanders Tor her long ahd outstanding: service tp the nursing profession. Bom in Cambridgeshire, England, Miss Thurston came to New Zealand in 1901 and entered Wellington Hospital as a trainee nurse. She passed her State final examinations in 1904. She became matron of the Grey Hospital in 1906 and held that position till 1908. From there she went to Christchurch Hospital as lady superintendent .and was there till she left the country in 1916 for service overseas. She was president of the Canterbury branch of the Trained Nurses’ Association from 1911 to 1920. From 1916 till 1920 Miss Thurston had an outstanding record of service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In the first year she was matron of No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames and in the following year was appointed matron-in-chief, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, a position she held for three years. She received the award of the Royal Red Cross in 1917 and was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.8.E.) in 1918 for her war service. * On her return to New Zealand she became matron of the military hospital at Rotorua and took up a corresponding appointment at Trentham in 1922. Her last post in this country was at Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs, in 1924.

Later she left New Zealand for England where she spent the remainder of her life. She was always delighted to see old army friends and trainees from Christchurch Hospital, many of whom visited her in England. She was a keen reader and extremely well-informed on world affairs. Among her many friends was the former editor of “The Times,” London, Mr Wickham Steed, who was also known to radio listeners throughout the world as aBB.C. war commentator.

Miss Thurston continued to maintain an interest in the affairs of the nursing profession in New Zealand. More than 20 years ago Christchurch nurses who had deme their training during her term as lady superintendent formed a “Thurston Club.” The club meets every year and many of the members corresponded with Miss Thurston. Gifts were sent to her each Christmas, and flowers on her birthdays.

Miss Thurston will be affectionately remembered by all her old trainees and by the entire nursing profession for her wonderful powers of administration.