Dorothea Florence Macausland was born on July 31, 1888, in Murree, India. She was the middle of three children born to Jane Isabella Macausland and Lieutenant Colonel R.C.S. Macausland, a judge in the Indian Civil Service. Her older brother joined the Indian Army, while her younger brother was tragically killed in action during World War I at the age of 19. Dorothea spent her early years in India before being sent to a small girls' boarding school in Kent, England. She spent most of her holidays with her brothers at Woodbank House in Garvagh, County Londonderry.
After completing her education, Dorothea returned to Woodbank House, where her parents had settled following her father’s retirement. She was deeply involved in parish life, teaching Sunday School, and spending time with her aunts at Woodbank Cottage. She cultivated a love for birds, flowers, cooking, and sewing. Known affectionately as Thea, she enjoyed a rich social life and was presented as a debutante at court in Dublin in 1912, likely one of the last such events held there.
World War I
Inspired by her aunts, one of whom—Edith—founded the Cottage Hospital in Coleraine, Dorothea followed her natural inclination toward nursing when World War I broke out in 1914. She joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) through the Red Cross and was sent to the war office in Plymouth. She later embarked for Alexandria, Egypt, aboard a troopship that was torpedoed and sank. The only possession she managed to save was her umbrella, which she cherished for the rest of her life.
Post-War Years
After the war, Dorothea received a Red Cross scholarship to King’s College Hospital in London, where she trained as a health visitor. Upon qualifying, she worked in Northampton until 1923 before taking up a role with the Red Cross, lecturing on health matters to women's organizations, including Women’s Institutes. Her involvement with the WI led her to become County Secretary for the Warwickshire WI Federation. In 1928, she was appointed Organising Secretary of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in London. However, due to personal reasons, she returned home in 1929 to care for her uncle at The Lodge in Coleraine (now the Lodge Hotel). Following his death, she inherited The Lodge but chose to let the house, moving back to Woodbank House to care for her parents.
The First WI in Northern Ireland
Determined to spread the WI movement, Thea enlisted her three nieces to distribute invitations by bicycle for “The Drawing Room Meeting” at Woodbank House on September 2, 1932. The event, which sparked curiosity and some skepticism, featured Mrs. Nugent Harris, MBE, Chief Organiser of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in England and Wales, as well as Mr. Laughton, Secretary of the Rural Development Council of Northern Ireland. With the support of the RDC, Women’s Institutes were established in Northern Ireland, officially forming a federation in 1943.
The enthusiasm from that first meeting led to a public gathering just five days later, on September 7, 1932, in the New Hall, Garvagh. Forty members attended the inaugural session, with membership doubling by the end of the year. Encouraged by their success, the members ambitiously decided to build their own hall. Dorothea provided an interest-free loan, and Mr. and Mrs. William O’Kane donated the land. The hall, completed in November 1933 at a cost of £316.4s.3d, was debt-free within a year. It became a valued community asset, serving as a cinema (the Avon Cinema) and later as a YMCA Military Canteen during World War II. It remained in use until 1969 when it was sold to the County Londonderry Education Authority for a new primary school entrance.
Dorothea played a pivotal role in expanding the WI movement throughout Northern Ireland, assisted by Mrs. William O’Kane, the elected Vice President of Garvagh WI. She worked tirelessly to convince the Minister of Education of the organization’s benefits for rural women, ensuring access to school premises for meetings. She insisted that WI branches be open to women of all denominations. Although the Ministry provided no financial support, the Carnegie Trust stepped in, and Dorothea also secured backing from Lady Brookeborough.
Serving as Federation Chairman from 1946 to 1947, Dorothea was made an Honorary Life Member of the Federation in 1950. Known for her eloquence and leadership, she was highly respected and loved. She passed away in 1970 at the age of 82 and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Parish Churchyard in Garvagh. In 2020, the Ulster History Circle honored her achievements with a blue plaque at St. Paul’s, attended by family, WI representatives, and local dignitaries.
A testament to her legacy, a beautifully embossed solid silver cup, valued at £1,500, was presented by Dorothea to Garvagh WI and is awarded annually to the member earning the most points in the monthly competition.