 Joanna Margaret Cruickshank was born the second daughter of William and Johanna Cruickshank on 28 November 1875 in Murree, India (now in Pakistan).She trained at Guy's Hospital, London, then travelled back to India in 1912 to serve as sister in the Lady Minto Nursing Association.In 1917 she joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS).