Emma Duffin

Emma Duffin was born in Belfast in 1883, the middle child of nine to a family of substantial wealth. Her mother Maria and sisters Molly and Ruth also feature in this timeline.

Her progressive parents provided an extensive education by governess and in England. She became a talented illustrator and committed social activist.

The role for which she is most renowned is as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse in WWI and WWII as detailed in her prolific diary keeping.

In recognition of her hard work and selflessness, she received an honorary MA from Queen’s University Belfast in 1954.

She died in 1979 aged 96. Having never married, she was buried with several family members in Newcastle, Co. Down.

Researcher: Pauline Connolly

PRONI Reference for Diary: D2109/18 (Thanks to Mr. Michael Duffin)