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Doctors
before the NHS

Edward James Freeman, surgeon & physician, was born in Ireland in 1846. He came to Rushden c1889 and established his practice at 47 High Street, but in 1891 he lived oposite West Street, next to the Misses Smith Farmhouse School. He left this property and moved to Victoria Road in about 1905. Kelly's 1914 directory lists Edw J Freeman, LRCP & S & LM Edin, physician/surgeon at 22 High Street South.

Doctor Owen of Highfield, Park Road.

Doctors Crew, Owen and Burland had a practice in Park Road in 1894.

Herbert Stainer Baker had opened another surgery at 20 Church Street by about 1897.

Doctor William Durrance (born Burton-on-Trent), and his wife Florence (born in India), came here c1900 and left about 1906.

In this 1905 postcard the large building, built in 1890, is the Northamptonshire Union Bank, then the shop of Tomlinson the tailor, next two large gates, and the building (far right), with a black sign hanging out from the window "Surgery".

William Arthur Durance,
MRCS Eng, LRCP Lond,
physician & surgeon lived
here at 47 High Street

In 1910 it had become the offices for J T Parker, solicitor, and Rushden Brick & Tile Co.

47 High Street

Dr Dudley George Greenfield was a native of Kent, educated for the medical profession at Guy’s Hospital, and opened a practice at Rushden in 1903.

Rushden Echo, 13th March 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins

Accident—Mr. Bass, of Denmark-road, and elderly man, had a fall in Park-road on Saturday. His head caught the kerbstone and was severely cut. Mr. J. W Crouch and another man, who was near, picked Mr. Bass up, and he was removed to his home. Dr. Bromilow attended to the injuries.


Dr. Reginald Wynard Davies, M.B., Ch.B., came to Rushden in 1912 as partner to the late Dr C R Owen, whose daughter he married in 1917. During the Great War he was a captain in the R.A.M.C., serving in France, Mesopotamia and Egypt, and during WWII was Medical Officer to the 8th N.N. Home Guard, and helped at the First Aid Post.

In 1943 he was vice-chairman of the Council and in 1944 he was elected Chairman.

Dr Davies

Rushden Echo, 23rd February 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Marriage took place at Grimsby on Saturday last of Dr. Walter Elwood, formerly with Dr. Owen at Rushden, now on medical work with the Colours, to Miss Florence Sanders, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sanders, of Hayway, Rushden.

Dr. Fisher, and pioneering partner Dr. George Gerrard came to Rushden to clean up a town plagued with the scourge of the working class—TB. And they did.

Doctors Muriset & Gillespie came to Rushden after WWI.

Dr B W Paine came to Rushden in the 1930s, and later took Dr Clark, and then Dr Brook into partnership.

Dr E Forrester took over the Church Street practice after WWII, and he lived at Wellingtonia, Irchester Road.



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