BEYOND THE SPLENDOURS OF THE SUNSET is a biography of Margaret Barnett Cruickshank, M. B., Ch. B., University of N.Z., 1897. First generation New Zealander, Margaret Barnett Cruickshank had been raised near Palmerston, Otago. On graduating from Otago Medical School, Margaret was introduced to Dr. Herbert Clifford Barclay. Barclay accepted her into his Waimate Practice, his home and private hospital. Barclay had also become superintendent of the local public hospital, a position that Margaret would also hold on a shared basis years later. 1913, Dr Cruickshank and her youngest sister Isabella, visited England and family in Scotland. Britain was preparing for war. Isabella nursed in London while Margaret became involved with St John and completed studies at Dublin. Together they visited family in Scotland prior to returning home early 1914. In May 1914, Dr Barclay set sail for overseas destinations. WW1 exploded onto the world scene forcing changed travel plans via Russia where he served in a field hospital before continuing on to England via Scandinavia. The Waimate hospital was now managed by a very competent team. Responsibilities for Dr Cruickshank included general practice; midwifery; anaesthetics; tuition; surgery and hospital superintendence. During 1915 she represented Waimate in a regional Queen Carnival event raising funds for the people of Belgium. The war effort dragged on taking a heavy toll then an epidemic of unknown proportions hit! Photographs enhance the reading experience.
Email: davidr.janetc@gmail.com
Writer: David Lockyer