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We cannot mention Maryland without introducing Mary, Duchess of Bedford, known as the "Flying Duchess".
Born Mary du Caurroy, she was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College and later joined her parents in Lahore, where she contracted typhoid, leading to lifelong deafness.
In 1888, she married Lord Herbrand Russell and began contributing significantly to Woburn Village's medical care. In 1898, she opened a Cottage Hospital, personally performing tasks from floor scrubbing to surgery. By 1903, she had designed and built a model hospital to replace the original.
During WWI, Mary converted the hospital and parts of Woburn Abbey into military hospitals, becoming a skilled radiologist and surgeon's assistant. She managed numerous operations weekly and ensured patient comfort with entertainment. Mary received the Order of the Red Cross, 2nd class, and was later made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire.
Mary's aviation pursuits began in 1926, offering relief from her worsening deafness. Her historic flights included a journey to India in 1928. On March 22, 1937, at 71, she disappeared over the North Sea during a solo flight, with wreckage found but her body never recovered.
Mary, Duchess of Bedford’s legacy lives on through her remarkable contributions to aviation and medical care.
The Woburn Heritage Museum has two information boards on display and a small brochure on sale for just £1 about the Dutchess so please visit us if you would like to learn more about her interesting life.
Reference:
https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/blogs/flying-duchess-bedford |
