Gertrud TRUDINGER

TRUDINGER, GERTRUD (b. Bradford, England, 28 April 1870; d. Jan 1945). Missionary.

Gertrud Trudinger, before her Moravian parents migrated to Australia, was educated at a Moravian School for missionaries' children in Germany. There she first became interested in mission work. When quite a young woman in Adelaide, she with another friend asked the Rev Lockhart Morton (q.v.), who ran a mission training school for men, whether they could help with the housework in order for them also to get mission training. This step resulted in the Women's Training Home in Belair being established in 1895. Gertrud was a founding member.

Gertrud Trudinger applied for service with the CIM and was accepted by the mission in September 1895. She sailed for China in 1896 together with her brother, August Trudinger (q.v.). In her farewell address she stated: 'Very soon after I became a Christian I ... promised the Lord that whenever He would open the way for me to go to the heathen I would be ready ... For a great many years the way seemed blocked ... At last it was laid upon my heart to apply to the China Inland Mission and it seemed as if I was not to go, for, although the Adelaide Council recommended me, the answer from Melbourne was that ladies were not being sent at that time ... However last year I was accepted ... I have been in Mr Morton's Training Home and there the Lord has Himself taught me many precious lessons ... I have learnt of the dangers, hardships and loneliness and many things to be met with in China, and I would not go alone. He is with me.' (China's Millions, Nov 1896)

After language study, Gertrud was designated to Kaoyu, and later to Anlung in Kiangsu, where in the early days she engaged in pioneer and itinerary work. Anlung from time to time suffered much from famine and often the mission compound was full of girls who were left behind. For three or four years she made herself responsible for those who were really deserted, while a number of others whose friends subsequently claimed them became real helpers in the Church.

For health reasons she was transferred to the province of Shansi, where she continued to work among the women. She retired in 1939 returning to Adelaide. To the end Gertrud Trudinger was active in Christian life, doing deputation work, taking Scripture classes in schools, and attending many prayer and Bible groups. She died after a brief illness. Her sister Edith (b. Brambley, England, 12 June 1875, d. Adelaide, SA, 13 June 1960) also served as a CIM missionary for 40 years, marrying R A McCulloch in 1908.

R Becker, Geschichte der Familie Schammer (Herrnhut, 1922); M Loane, The Story of the CIM in Australia and New Zealand 1890-1964 (Sydney, 1965); China's Millions, Australian Editions (OMF Archives, Melbourne) Nov 1886, Feb 1945, 25, March 1945

C D TRUDINGER