Doherty, Muriel Knox (1896-1988)

Field of activity
Nurse educator and Nursing administrator; air force matron; air force nurse; nurse (general); nurse educator; Voluntary Aid Detachment personnel; Nurse and Nurse educator
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-632603

Biographies

DOHERTY, MURIEL KNOX (1896-1988), nurse and air force principal matron, was born on 19 July 1896 at Prahran, Melbourne, eldest of three children of Victorian-born parents Robert Knox Doherty, clerk, and his wife Elizabeth Mary, née Mendell. Taught at home by a governess until the family moved to Wollstonecraft, Sydney, about 1909, Muriel completed her education at Woodstock private school, North Sydney. In 1914 she was employed as the school nurse and an unqualified teacher at Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga. That year she gained the St John Ambulance Association’s first aid and home nursing certificate. In 1915-21 she was a member of the Australian Red Cross Society’s No.6 Voluntary Aid Detachment, North Sydney, working at the Sydney, Mater Misericordiae and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals. She left Abbotsleigh in 1917 so that she could be a full-time VAD while helping her mother at home.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Muriel Knox Doherty began nursing in 1921 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, and set up the first preliminary training school at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 1933-1937. In her capacity as matron-in-charge she was the first nurse appointed to the rank of squadron leader in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), where she inaugurated the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service. After World War II she worked with displaced persons at Bergen Belsen concentration camp, as a member of United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. One of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 1949, she was also instrumental in the establishment of the Civilian Nursing Services Bureau, and co-authored the first Australian text book for nurses, Modern Practical Nursing Procedures, 1944. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal (1st Class) in 1945 for her work in the RAAF Nursing Service.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Muriel Knox Doherty began nursing in 1921 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, and set up the first preliminary training school at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 1933-1937. In her capacity as Matron in Charge she was the first nurse appointed to the rank of Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force, where she inaugurated the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service. After the Second World War she worked with displaced persons at Bergen Belsen concentration camp, as a member of United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. One of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 1949, she was also instrumental in the establishment of the Civilian Nursing Services Bureau, and co-authored the first Australian text book for nurses, Modern Practical Nursing Procedures, 1944.

Muriel Knox Doherty was born 19 July 1896 in Victoria. She began her nursing career in 1921 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales. Completing her training in 1925, she received the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital's Sir Alfred Roberts Medal for General Nursing Proficiency. In 1930 she gained a Sister Tutor Diploma, Kings College of Household and Social Sciences, University of London, UK. On her return to Australia she set up the first preliminary training school at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 1933-1937. She served in the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment during the First World War and in the Services from 1935 to 1946. She was the first nurse appointed to the rank of Squadron Leader in her capacity as Matron in Charge in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) later rising to the rank of Wing Commander. This work was recognised by the award of the Royal Red Cross Medal (1st Class) presented by King George VI in London in 1945. A member of United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) she was also involved with displaced persons in the immediate post war period in the capacity of Chief Nurse and Principal Matron at Bergen Belsen concentration camp in Germany. In 1946 Knox Doherty was posted to Poland and assisted with rehabilitation and nursing education.

Her interest in the growth of the nursing profession is evidenced in the strategic and developmental activities in which she took part, particularly in New South Wales. She was a member of the Australasian Trained Nurses Association; one of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 1949 and a Foundation Fellow, 1949-1988. She was also a member of the Institute of Hospital Matrons (NSW & ACT). She assisted in the inauguration of the National Florence Nightingale Memorial Committee, becoming one of its first two Vice-Presidents and was instrumental in the establishment of the Civilian Nursing Services Bureau. She co-authored the first Australian text book for nurses, Modern Practical Nursing Procedures, along with Marjorie Bernice Sirl and Olive Isabel Ring (Sydney: Dymocks Book Arcade, 1944). Knox Doherty died 29 September 1988 in New South Wales.

  • 1914 Gained St John Ambulance First Aid Home Nursing Certificate
  • 1914 - 1917 School Nurse and untrained teacher at Abbotsleigh School in Wahroonga, New South Wales
  • 1917 - 1919 Red Cross No. 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment (full time)
  • 1919 - 1921 Teacher (relief) Abbotsleigh (and home duties)
  • 5 November 1921 Commenced nurse training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney
  • 1925 Charge Nurse for six months and then appointed Sister at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
  • 1930 - 1932 Private nursing work in London and Europe
  • 1932 - 1933 Tutor sister course at Kings College, University of London
  • 1933 - 1937 Sister Tutor at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and established the first Preliminary Training School
  • 1935 Volunteer for the Australian Army Nursing Service
  • 1937 - 1939 Sister Tutor at the Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney
  • 1939 Called up as Sister Clerk to the Office of the Principal Matron with the Australian Army Nursing Service
  • 1940 Transferred to RAAF and was First Squadron Leader / Matron-in-Charge and later Principal Matron and Wing Commander at the No. 3 RAAF Hospital in Richmond, NSW. Established the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service in New South Wales
  • 1940 - 1943 Member of the Kelly Committee for the Reorganisation of the Nursing Profession
  • 1945 - 1946 Demobilised and appointed to United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). Served in Germany (Belsen) and as the Chief Nurse to the Public Health Consultant in Poland
  • 1946 Returned to Australia
  • 1955 - 1957 Travelled extensively in Europe
  • 1957 - 1961 Lived in Australia
  • 1961 - 1965 Lived in UK
  • 1966 Returned to Australia and lived in Sydney until her death in 1988

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Australian Women's Register

Resources for Muriel Knox Doherty

Selected resources (22)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

  1. 'Doherty, Muriel Knox (1896 - 1988)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 17, p. .
    R. Lynette Russell
    [????]
    Published: Melbourne University Press

Australian Women's Register

  1. Doherty, Muriel Knox (1896 - 1988), Biographical EntryBright Sparcs : Doherty, Muriel Knox (1896 - 1988), Biographical Entry
    [2002]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P003416b.htm
  2. Lifework: Heroes of Australian Health
    Murray, James
    [1997]
    Published: Focus Publishing for [Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd]
  3. Letters from Belsen 1945 : An Australian Nurse's Experiences with the Survivors of War
    Doherty, Muriel Knox, and Cornell, Judith and Russell, R. Lynette (eds)
    [2000]
    Published: Allen & Unwin
  4. Off The Record - The Life and Times of Muriel Knox Doherty 1896-1988: An Autobiography
    Doherty, Muriel Knox and Russell, R. Lynette (ed.)
    [1996]
    Published: New South Wales College of Nursing
  5. DOHERTY, MURIEL KUOXWorld War 2 Nominal Roll Department of Veterans' Affairs : DOHERTY, MURIEL KUOX
    Department of Veterans' Affairs
    [2002]
    Series: http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1081225
  6. DOHERTY, MURIEL KNOXWorld War 2 Nominal Roll Department of Veterans' Affairs : DOHERTY, MURIEL KNOX
    Department of Veterans' Affairs
    [2002]
    Series: http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=306784
  7. Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
  8. Story of the RAAF nursing service : 1940-1990
    Halstead, Gay.
    [1994]
    Published: Nungurner Press
  9. Where are the Women in Australian science?
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/wisa/wisa.html
  10. The Life and Times of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
    Doherty, Muriel Knox and Russell, R. Lynette (ed.)
    [1996]
    Published: New South Wales College of Nursing
  11. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Letters of Muriel Knox Doherty (Matron) (1946 - 1983)
    Includes one letter from Warsaw in 1946 describing the state of the city, and five letters written between 1974-1983 discussing history of RAAF Nursing Service.
    PR91/169
  12. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Papers of Muriel Knox Doherty (1946 - 1952)
    1. Folio of cuttings, pamphlets, letters, photos entitled: Poland 1946. Includes ‘Copy of Community letters from Poland 1946’, war photos, t.s. ‘Welfare Services in Poland’ etc. 2. Scrapbook with certificate inside cover: ‘This records the loyal and valued services of Muriel Knox Doherty to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration... 31 Dec. 1946’. Contains papers, official letters, newspaper cuttings, photos etc. 3. T.s. extracts from the ‘Polish Bulletin’, Dec. 1951 to Sept. 1952, on the Katyn War Murders. 10pp. 4. 2 T.s. circular letters ‘Youth Auxilliary for European relief’ 2p.
    MS 1518
  13. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Scrapbooks, letters and papers of Muriel Knox Doherty (Matron, RRC, AANS and RAAF Nursing Service) (1914 - 1954)
    Scrapbooks containing news reports, letters, cards, insignia and nominal rolls covering both wars. Letters regarding the nursing service. Photograph album presented to Matron Hetherington by patients at Reinga, 1916. Certificate of service, diaries.
    3DRL/2518

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. Lifework: Heroes of Australian Health
    Murray, James
    [1997]
    Published: Focus Publishing for [Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd]
  2. Letters from Belsen 1945: an Australian Nurse's Experiences with the Survivors of War
    Doherty, Muriel Knox, and Cornell, Judith and Russell, R. Lynette (eds)
    [2000]
    Published: Allen & Unwin
  3. The Life and Times of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
    Doherty, Muriel Knox and Russell, R. Lynette
    [1996]
    Published: New South Wales College of Nursing
  4. Off the Record - The Life and Times of Muriel Knox Doherty 1896-1988: an Autobiography
    Doherty, Muriel Knox and Russell, R. Lynette
    [1996]
    Published: New South Wales College of Nursing
  5. Who's Who in Australia 1944
    Alexander, John A.
    [1944]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd
  6. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Scrapbooks, letters and papers of Muriel Knox Doherty (Matron, RRC, AANS and RAAF Nursing Service) (1914 - 1954)
    Scrapbooks containing news reports, letters, cards, insignia and nominal rolls covering both wars. Letters regarding the nursing service. Photograph album presented to Matron Hetherington by patients at Reinga, 1916. Certificate of service, diaries.
    3DRL/2518
  7. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Letters of Muriel Knox Doherty (Matron) (1946 - 1983)
    Includes one letter from Warsaw in 1946 describing the state of the city, and five letters written between 1974-1983 discussing history of RAAF Nursing Service.
    PR91/169
  8. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Papers of Muriel Knox Doherty (1946 - 1952)
    1. Folio of cuttings, pamphlets, letters, photos entitled: Poland 1946. Includes 'Copy of Community letters from Poland 1946', war photos, t.s. 'Welfare Services in Poland' etc. 2. Scrapbook with certificate inside cover: 'This records the loyal and valued services of Muriel Knox Doherty to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration... 31 Dec. 1946'. Contains papers, official letters, newspaper cuttings, photos etc. 3. T.s. extracts from the 'Polish Bulletin', Dec. 1951 to Sept. 1952, on the Katyn War Murders. 10pp. 4. 2 T.s. circular letters 'Youth Auxilliary for European relief' 2p.
    MS 1518

Resources by Muriel Knox Doherty (3)

  1. Index to off the record- the life and times of Muriel Knox Doherty : an autobiography / edited by R. Lynette Russell
    Doyle, Lorraine
    [ Book : 2003 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.944)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.944)

  2. Index to the The life and times of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Australia : by Muriel Knox Doherty ; edited by R. Lynette Russell / [index compiled by Lorraine Doyle]
    Doyle, Lorraine
    [ Book : 1996 ]
    At 6 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.845)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.845)

  3. Modern practical nursing procedures / by M.K. Doherty, M.B. Sirl, O.I. Ring
    Doherty, M. K. (Muriel Knox)
    [ Book : 1944-1967 ]
    At 16 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.372)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.372)

Resources about Muriel Knox Doherty (2)

  1. Off the record - the life and times of Muriel Knox Doherty 1896-1988 : an autobiography / edited by R. Lynette Russell
    Doherty, M. K. (Muriel Knox)
    [ Book : 1996 ]
    At 25 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.975)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.975)

  2. Index to off the record- the life and times of Muriel Knox Doherty : an autobiography / edited by R. Lynette Russell
    Doyle, Lorraine
    [ Book : 2003 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.556)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.556)

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  1. Doherty, M. K., (Muriel Knox)
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  2. The College of Nursing Archive
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  1. Website: Australian Women in War
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  1. Doherty, Muriel Knox.(Review)
    Liverani, Mary Rose
    Biography
    [ Article : 2001 ]
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  2. Muriel Knox Doherty - her story
    Russell RL
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    [ Article : 1999 ]
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  3. Muriel Knox Doherty - recognised at the 'Treasures' exhibition in Canberra. -letter-
    Shields L
    Collegian (Deakin ACT)
    [ Article : 2002 ]
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  4. The inauguration & development of the Prince Alfred Hospital School of Nursing 1882-1942 / by M.K. Doherty
    Doherty, M. K. (Muriel Knox)
    [ Conference Proceedings ]
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  1. [Biographical cuttings on Muriel Knox Doherty, nursing matron, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
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  2. Papers
    Doherty, M. K. (Muriel Knox)
    [ Unpublished : 1946-1952 ]
    At National Library
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  3. Papers of William Morris Hughes
    Hughes, W. M. (William Morris), 1862-1952
    [ Unpublished : 1865-1958 ]
    View online
    At National Library
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  1. R.A.A.F. NURSES. Miss Doherty, Matron at Richmond. MELBOURNE, Sunday.
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Monday 16 September 1940 p 4 Article
    ... R.A.A.F. NURSES. Miss Doherty, Matron at Richmond. MELBOURNE, Sunday. Appointments of öf R.A.A.F. nurses under Miss M; I. Lang, Matron In Chief, were announced yesterday by of Air. Miss Muriel Knox Doherty. Sister Clerk in the Principal Matron's office of the Eastern .Army Command (NJS.W.I. since ... 108 words
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  2. SYDNEY MATRON CALLED FOR UNRRA SERVICE SYDNEY, Monday.
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954) Tuesday 1 May 1945 p 3 Article
    ... SYDNEY MATRON CALLED FOR UNRRA SERVICE SYDNEY, Monday. UNRRA paid a compliment to Australia tralia by asking for the release of Matron Muriel Knox' Doherty, principal matron of R.A.A.F., for service duties in Germany. Before the war Matron Doherty was theatre sister at the Royal Prince Al- fred ... 77 words
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  3. Party In Honor Of Miss Doherty
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Wednesday 18 September 1946 p 7 Article
    ... party for Monday afternoon at the Lady Gowrie Club, North terrace, in honor of Miss Muriel Knox Do herty. who will arrive in Adelaide at the week-end in the Sarpedon. Miss Doherty, formerly principal ... Party In Honor Of Miss Doherty On behalf of the South Australian *> lian branch of the Australian ... 138 words
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