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Eleanor Hague If Mr Watson was regarded as th the ‘Mother of Midwifery’ in the serving of meals and the arrangi staff.’ This training must have be had to undertake as Superintend During the war years, her worklo undertaking a part-time Midwife her Midwife’s Teachers’ Diploma Northampton Hospital) she was post until her retirement in Marc For most of her time at the Barra founder member of the East Mid Leicester. She worked energetic Midwives holding the office of C and member of the national Roy Maternity Homes. This widened Midwifery up to date at the Barr work for the College, she was ma retirement. he ‘Father of Obstetrics’ in Northamptonshire, M e area. She was born at Kellamarsh on Yorkshire border. Her mother d an infant and she was brought u stepmother. She left school at was, to a large extent, self educ and enquiring mind, not only he of her profession, but also prov very important qualities as a te She did not enjoy the best of he childhood and indeed, this near from entry into her chosen care to live with her sister and unde training in what became the Sh qualifying as S.R.N. in June 1932 Midwifery training and qualified her appointment to the Barratt at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and pr taken training in Nurse Houseke Edmunds. Her certificate states experience in ordering, checking stores, the management of diab ing and ordering of menus, and the management been invaluable to her for the many housekeeping dent Midwife. oad increased considerably, but this did not dete e’s Teacher’s course in her off duty at Birmingham a in 1943. In 1954, on the retirement of Miss C N given autonomy and became Matron of the Barr ch 1965. att she was an examiner for the Central Midwife’ dlands Teachers’ Group, regularly attending mon cally and enthusiastically for the local branch of t Chairman for several years. Her appointment as A yal College of Midwives Council involved visits to d her experience and knowledge, so that she was ratt and at the fore-front of the profession. In re ade an Honorary Member of the Royal College o Miss Hague was surely the Derbyshire- died when she was up by her father and an early age and cated. Her tenacity elped her to the top vided her with two eacher. ealth, even from rly prevented her eer. She left home ertook her S.R.N . heffield City Hospital, 2. She later took her d in 1933. Before t, she was a Midwife rior to that she had eeping at Bury St. s: She has had g in and issueing of betic diets, the t of the domestic g responsibilities she er her from m and she obtained Nelson (Matron of ratt. She held this ’s Board. She was a nthly meetings at the Royal College of Area Representative many other s able to keep ecognition of all her of Midwives on her
3

Eleanor Hague

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Page 1: Eleanor Hague

Eleanor Hague

If Mr Watson was regarded as the ‘Father of Obstetrics’ in Northamptonshire, Miss Hague was surely

the ‘Mother of Midwifery’ in the area.

serving of meals and the arranging and ordering of menus, and the management of the domestic

staff.’ This training must have been invaluable to her for the many housekeeping responsibilities she

had to undertake as Superintendent Midwife.

During the war years, her workload increased considerably, but this did not deter her from

undertaking a part-time Midwife’s Teacher’s course in

her Midwife’s Teachers’ Diploma in 1943. In 1954, on the retirement of Miss C Nelson (Matron of

Northampton Hospital) she was given autonomy and became Matron of the Barratt.

post until her retirement in March 1965.

For most of her time at the Barratt she was an examiner for the Central Midwife’s Board. She was a

founder member of the East Midlands

Leicester. She worked energetically and enthusiastically for the local branch of the Royal College of

Midwives holding the office of Chairman for several years. Her appointment as Area Representative

and member of the national Royal College of Midwives Council

Maternity Homes. This widened her experience and knowledge, so that she was able to keep

Midwifery up to date at the Barratt and at the fore

work for the College, she was ma

retirement.

If Mr Watson was regarded as the ‘Father of Obstetrics’ in Northamptonshire, Miss Hague was surely

the ‘Mother of Midwifery’ in the area.

She was born at Kellamarsh on the Derbyshire

Yorkshire border. Her mother died when she was

an infant and she was brought up by her father and

stepmother. She left school at an early age and

was, to a large extent, self educated. Her tenacity

and enquiring mind, not only helped her to the top

of her profession, but also provided her with two

very important qualities as a teacher.

She did not enjoy the best of health, even from

childhood and indeed, this nearly prevented her

from entry into her chosen career. She left home

to live with her sister and undertook her S.R.N .

training in what became the Sheff

qualifying as S.R.N. in June 1932. She later took her

Midwifery training and qualified in 1933. Before

her appointment to the Barratt, she was a Midwife

at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and prior to that she had

taken training in Nurse Housekee

Edmunds. Her certificate states:

experience in ordering, checking

stores, the management of diabetic diets, the

serving of meals and the arranging and ordering of menus, and the management of the domestic

This training must have been invaluable to her for the many housekeeping responsibilities she

had to undertake as Superintendent Midwife.

During the war years, her workload increased considerably, but this did not deter her from

time Midwife’s Teacher’s course in her off duty at Birmingham and she obtained

her Midwife’s Teachers’ Diploma in 1943. In 1954, on the retirement of Miss C Nelson (Matron of

Northampton Hospital) she was given autonomy and became Matron of the Barratt.

post until her retirement in March 1965.

For most of her time at the Barratt she was an examiner for the Central Midwife’s Board. She was a

founder member of the East Midlands Teachers’ Group, regularly attending monthly meetings at

er. She worked energetically and enthusiastically for the local branch of the Royal College of

Midwives holding the office of Chairman for several years. Her appointment as Area Representative

and member of the national Royal College of Midwives Council involved visits to many other

Maternity Homes. This widened her experience and knowledge, so that she was able to keep

Midwifery up to date at the Barratt and at the fore-front of the profession. In recognition of all her

work for the College, she was made an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Midwives on her

If Mr Watson was regarded as the ‘Father of Obstetrics’ in Northamptonshire, Miss Hague was surely

She was born at Kellamarsh on the Derbyshire-

Yorkshire border. Her mother died when she was

and she was brought up by her father and

stepmother. She left school at an early age and

was, to a large extent, self educated. Her tenacity

and enquiring mind, not only helped her to the top

of her profession, but also provided her with two

nt qualities as a teacher.

She did not enjoy the best of health, even from

childhood and indeed, this nearly prevented her

from entry into her chosen career. She left home

to live with her sister and undertook her S.R.N .

training in what became the Sheffield City Hospital,

qualifying as S.R.N. in June 1932. She later took her

Midwifery training and qualified in 1933. Before

her appointment to the Barratt, she was a Midwife

Tyne and prior to that she had

taken training in Nurse Housekeeping at Bury St.

Edmunds. Her certificate states: ’She has had

experience in ordering, checking in and issueing of

stores, the management of diabetic diets, the

serving of meals and the arranging and ordering of menus, and the management of the domestic

This training must have been invaluable to her for the many housekeeping responsibilities she

During the war years, her workload increased considerably, but this did not deter her from

her off duty at Birmingham and she obtained

her Midwife’s Teachers’ Diploma in 1943. In 1954, on the retirement of Miss C Nelson (Matron of

Northampton Hospital) she was given autonomy and became Matron of the Barratt. She held this

For most of her time at the Barratt she was an examiner for the Central Midwife’s Board. She was a

Teachers’ Group, regularly attending monthly meetings at

er. She worked energetically and enthusiastically for the local branch of the Royal College of

Midwives holding the office of Chairman for several years. Her appointment as Area Representative

involved visits to many other

Maternity Homes. This widened her experience and knowledge, so that she was able to keep

front of the profession. In recognition of all her

de an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Midwives on her

Page 2: Eleanor Hague

Her standards in the practical field were very high and she demanded and obtained the optimum

standard of work from each member of her staff. Her warm heartedness, kindness and sens

humour were never over-shadowed by the strict discipline that she maintained.

Perhaps it was her love of people that

This love extended to animals and all living creatures and in particular

Despite his luxurious diet of rabbit and eggs, which he occasionally stole and sucked, Smokey would

catch and torment the odd mouse. On one occasion, Miss Hague found a poor half dead little

creature, so she wrapped it in toi

operation was over, the mouse was sitting up on the floating paper. Moved to compassion, Eleanor

rescued it and took it out to the garden to a place that she thought would be a happy little home fo

a mouse and Smokey was confined to barracks for the next hour. For the Sister who took up

residence in Matron’s flat, when Eleanor went away on holidays, the responsibility of look

the ever disappearing Smokey was almost as worrying as the resp

Barratt.

Although the flat was Miss Hague’s home, it was structurally and functionally part of the Maternity

Unit. As well as being used for coaching classes, it was a haven for any member of staff, who was

distressed and in need of Miss Hague’s sympathetic and valued counselling. In the night, she would

report a constantly crying baby to the night sister, either on the phone of in person, and would

invariably add the correct cause which she had diagnosed from the nature of

clinical expertise. Many an ill baby spent the night in her flat receiving her personal undivided skill

and care. If a mother was ill, she was there, often sitting at the bedside for long stretches of the day

and night. Her administrative work would always get done, but later. It always took second place to

the practical work of the unit.

She scored the modern theory of management,

little realising that she had been putting the best

of this theory into practice for years. She fe

that it was her responsibility to keep staff happy

and although she shunned socialising, she

personally organised a Christmas Dance for all

Hospital staff and their friends for many years.

She would spend many night time hours

wrapping Christmas presents and preparing

special Christmas fayre for the hilarious tea

parties for the patients and the staff.

She always anticipated a person’s needs and was absolutely selfless in fulfilling those needs. She

allowed herself little time for hobbies during her wo

music and usually chose loud vivacious records

effects was one of her favourites. She preferred to listen to soloists rather than choral music though

I have seen her completely absorbed and moved to tears listening to the Dream of Gerontius. She

had a wonderful eye for beauty, as could be seen in the way she planned her garden and furnished

her delightful thatched cottage at Overstone, which became her home f

retirement. She loved the beauty of the countryside and her happiest holidays were pent in the

Her standards in the practical field were very high and she demanded and obtained the optimum

standard of work from each member of her staff. Her warm heartedness, kindness and sens

shadowed by the strict discipline that she maintained.

people that made Eleanor such a first class midwife, leader and teacher.

This love extended to animals and all living creatures and in particular to Smokey, her Siamese cat.

Despite his luxurious diet of rabbit and eggs, which he occasionally stole and sucked, Smokey would

catch and torment the odd mouse. On one occasion, Miss Hague found a poor half dead little

creature, so she wrapped it in toilet paper and flushed it down the loo. However, when the

operation was over, the mouse was sitting up on the floating paper. Moved to compassion, Eleanor

rescued it and took it out to the garden to a place that she thought would be a happy little home fo

a mouse and Smokey was confined to barracks for the next hour. For the Sister who took up

residence in Matron’s flat, when Eleanor went away on holidays, the responsibility of look

was almost as worrying as the responsibility of the whole of the

Although the flat was Miss Hague’s home, it was structurally and functionally part of the Maternity

Unit. As well as being used for coaching classes, it was a haven for any member of staff, who was

n need of Miss Hague’s sympathetic and valued counselling. In the night, she would

report a constantly crying baby to the night sister, either on the phone of in person, and would

invariably add the correct cause which she had diagnosed from the nature of the cry

clinical expertise. Many an ill baby spent the night in her flat receiving her personal undivided skill

, she was there, often sitting at the bedside for long stretches of the day

istrative work would always get done, but later. It always took second place to

She scored the modern theory of management,

little realising that she had been putting the best

of this theory into practice for years. She felt

that it was her responsibility to keep staff happy

and although she shunned socialising, she

personally organised a Christmas Dance for all

Hospital staff and their friends for many years.

She would spend many night time hours

ts and preparing

special Christmas fayre for the hilarious tea

parties for the patients and the staff.

She always anticipated a person’s needs and was absolutely selfless in fulfilling those needs. She

allowed herself little time for hobbies during her working career, but was very fond of light classical

music and usually chose loud vivacious records – Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture with full cannon

effects was one of her favourites. She preferred to listen to soloists rather than choral music though

seen her completely absorbed and moved to tears listening to the Dream of Gerontius. She

had a wonderful eye for beauty, as could be seen in the way she planned her garden and furnished

her delightful thatched cottage at Overstone, which became her home from just before her

retirement. She loved the beauty of the countryside and her happiest holidays were pent in the

Her standards in the practical field were very high and she demanded and obtained the optimum

standard of work from each member of her staff. Her warm heartedness, kindness and sense of

made Eleanor such a first class midwife, leader and teacher.

to Smokey, her Siamese cat.

Despite his luxurious diet of rabbit and eggs, which he occasionally stole and sucked, Smokey would

catch and torment the odd mouse. On one occasion, Miss Hague found a poor half dead little

let paper and flushed it down the loo. However, when the

operation was over, the mouse was sitting up on the floating paper. Moved to compassion, Eleanor

rescued it and took it out to the garden to a place that she thought would be a happy little home for

a mouse and Smokey was confined to barracks for the next hour. For the Sister who took up

residence in Matron’s flat, when Eleanor went away on holidays, the responsibility of looking after

onsibility of the whole of the

Although the flat was Miss Hague’s home, it was structurally and functionally part of the Maternity

Unit. As well as being used for coaching classes, it was a haven for any member of staff, who was

n need of Miss Hague’s sympathetic and valued counselling. In the night, she would

report a constantly crying baby to the night sister, either on the phone of in person, and would

the cry – such was her

clinical expertise. Many an ill baby spent the night in her flat receiving her personal undivided skill

, she was there, often sitting at the bedside for long stretches of the day

istrative work would always get done, but later. It always took second place to

She always anticipated a person’s needs and was absolutely selfless in fulfilling those needs. She

rking career, but was very fond of light classical

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture with full cannon

effects was one of her favourites. She preferred to listen to soloists rather than choral music though

seen her completely absorbed and moved to tears listening to the Dream of Gerontius. She

had a wonderful eye for beauty, as could be seen in the way she planned her garden and furnished

rom just before her

retirement. She loved the beauty of the countryside and her happiest holidays were pent in the

Page 3: Eleanor Hague

Lake District, meandering through the valleys and making great efforts to reach the tops, despite the

need to make frequent stops to get her breath. In this, as in her work, she overcame all difficulties

to reach her goals.

After she retired, she continued to care for people in the village and elsewhere. She worked hard for

her Church, helping with a children’s play group and with meals for the elderly. For a few years she

worked as a part-time tutor to the Enrolled Nurse training course at Northampton General Hospital.

Her part-time job as midwife at St. Edmund’s Antenatal clinic gave her the greatest pleasure,

particularly the practical training of the pupil-midwives, here she was once again in her element.

Eleanor Hague lived to serve and help people and when, in failing health during her last year, she

was unable to do this, she gave up the will to live and died sadly on 18th

February 1984. Her work

lives on, not only in Northampton, but in all parts of the world wherever her trainees have practised

Midwifery.

Written by:

Elizabeth E Wilson

14th

September 1984

With special thanks to:

Northampton General Hospital Archive