Annie James (Tse Koo) A Life of Service and Love

Annie James, a petite, unassuming young woman from north Otago played a central role in bringing maternity services to the women and children of pre-communist China.

Raised in Dunedin, Called to China

Annie Isabella James was born in 1884, and in 1903 moved to Dunedin, joining the St Andrews Presbyterian youth group. There, she developed a strong interest in mission work in China.

After training as a missionary and learning Chinese, the church appointed her to the Central Village Mission stationed at Kong Chuen (Jiangcun), 13 miles north of Canton (Guangzhau).

In 1914 Annie came back to New Zealand to train in midwifery, returning to China in 1916. Her main mission at this time was among women and children in evangelism and medical work. In 1921, she again returned to New Zealand to qualify as a maternity and Karitane nurse, resuming her work in Kong Chuen in 1922.

In 1930 Annie accepted a transfer to Kaai Hau, 40 miles north-east of Canton. There she opened a branch hospital, where she served until 1951.

Brave and Indomitable Under Fire

When the Japanese army bombed and occupied Kaai Hau in October 1937, Annie refused to leave her post.

At great peril, Annie managed to evade the invaders for three years, setting up a clinic in a temple 10 miles away from town. Dodging Japanese bombs and soldiers, she returned to Kai Hau every five days to treat the ill and wounded. In one year alone she treated 27,800 patients.

In 1946-1947 she returned once more to New Zealand in poor health but determined to raise money to further develop the hospital. On her return to the field in 1947, political instability in China made the expansion project impossible. She continued her work nonetheless, persevering through the ever-changing political landscape and Communist Revolution.

Imprisoned

Early 1951 Annie was imprisoned and charged with the death of the child of a general. Although the authorities dropped this charge, they brought other allegations against her covering her 21-year period of service. After extreme hardship, which brought her close to death, the officials abandoned the remaining accusations and released her. Still undaunted, she joined other members of the mission in Hong Kong where she resumed her work with refugee children.

Of the five Chinese children she adopted, only one could immigrate to New Zealand with her on Annie’s return in 1961.

Annie’s Chinese name was Tse Koo, meaning “beautiful and peaceful.” For her extreme devotion and bravery in continuing to work in the face of the Japanese invasion of China, she was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 1942, though the presentation wasn’t able to be held until a decade later in 1952.

ANNIE ISABELLA JAMES 1884 – 1965, CREMATED AT PUREWA, ASHES SCATTERED ON PUREWA MEMORIAL LAWN

Further reading: Annie’s biography at TEARA

Photographs: Presbyterian Research Centre Archives Knox College