Cruickshank was born a twin on New Year's Day 1873 in Palmerston, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand.

Their parents were Elizabeth (born Taggart) and George, who had emigrated together from Scotland; first to Australia and then to Dunstan in Central Otago, to join the gold rush there.

[1][2] Cruickshank's mother died in June 1883 while the twins were young and as a result they were needed at home to help raise their five younger siblings.

During World War I she organised the work of the Waimate Red Cross Fund, and took over the case load of her partner, Dr Barclay, who had enlisted and gone overseas.

[8] The speakers at the ceremony included Cruickshank's former classmate Dr Emily Siedeberg, representing the New Zealand Medical Women's Association, the member of parliament for Waitaki, John Bitchener, and the chair of the local council, Mr. Hart.

[10] It was the first monument erected to a woman other than Queen Victoria in New Zealand[1] and its inscription reads "The Beloved Physician – Faithful Unto Death".

[3] The Waimate Museum & Archives holds a collection of objects, letters, photos and artwork pertaining to Dr Cruickshank.