Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse discovers its former nurse who was sacked for ‘insubordination’ went on to pioneer suffragette movement in Australia

Volunteers at a West Norfolk workhouse have recently discovered more about the past of one of its former nurses who went on to be a pioneer in women’s suffrage in Australia.

Activist Helen Hart was a nurse at Gressenhall Workhouse before she went on to fight for women’s rights.

However, researchers at Gressenhall have recently discovered more about Helen’s past and how she began to raise concerns about working conditions.

The discovery was made through ongoing research into the lives and working conditions of workhouse nurses as part of Gressenhall’s exhibition: “Making the Rounds: Stories of Workhouse Nurses Told in Textiles”.

Researchers set out to discover more about Helen Hart, who was born in 1842 and died in 1908.

Helen nursed sick inmates at Mitford and Launcitch Union Workhouse, which is now Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, for less than two months between December 1876 and January 1877.

She left her first nursing position at Pontefract Union Workhouse, Yorkshire in February 1875 due to a “disagreement with the master” and wrote to the Poor Law Board with her concerns about the running of the workhouse.

In November 1876, she was dismissed from Cardiff Union Workhouse for “insubordination”, possibly relating to her concern about a shortage of food for patients.

Her time at Gressenhall was equally tumultuous with the medical officer expressing concern about her suitability for the position of nurse, claiming she was “inefficient” and “sadly deficient in coolings and devoid of tact”.

However, Hart’s strong-willed character was no doubt necessary for her later vocation as a pioneering suffragist.

According to her biography, Hart arrived in Melbourne via New Zealand in 1880 where she lectured and preached across South Australia.

In many areas, she was the first woman to speak publicly on the subject of women’s rights. As a result, she was subjected to physical assault, practical jokes—such as having fireworks thrown at her—derision and even sexual harassment.

Hart’s achievements were finally acknowledged in 2009 when a commemorative grave marker was unveiled by Australian MP and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Anna Burke as part of the centenary of the Proclamation Act, which gave women in Victoria, Australia, the right to vote. The marker described her as a “Pioneer Suffragist, Lecturer, Gospel preacher and much, much more”.

Helen Duxford, author of “Helen Hart: Founder of Women’s Suffrage in Australasia”, confirmed that Hart’s work as a workhouse nurse was previously unknown.

Gressenhall researchers are delighted to have helped fill this gap and discover her links to workhouse nursing in Norfolk and beyond.

Volunteer researcher Helen Bainbridge said: “It was really exciting to discover that the Helen Hart who was honoured in Australia was the same Helen Hart who appeared in Gressenhall’s workhouse records.

“Clues came through newspaper articles and census data which showed Hart’s commitment to public speaking about women’s rights in the UK – which she continued after emigrating to Australia.

“It wasn’t until we contacted the author of Hart’s biography and were able to compare handwriting and family history, that we were sure it was the same woman. It was wonderful to share the previously unknown details of her short nursing career with the author.”

Exhibition Curator, Rachel Kidd, added: “This fantastic discovery by research volunteers is just one of many fascinating stories unearthed during research into workhouse nurses. Volunteers have painstakingly pulled together over 70 biographies of women who lived and worked here at Gressenhall Workhouse, caring for some of the most vulnerable people in the area.

“The research sheds light on how these hard-working women were able to forge careers at a time that many people would assume women did not work. The research is a fantastic resource going forward.”