It is with deep regret, and with a sorrow that will be shared by the whole of the inhabitants of Rushden, that we record the death of Mr Charles Luther Bradfield, of “Elmham,” Newton-road, Rushden.

107 built in 1919 and named Elmham Later renamed 'The Croft'

Mr Bradfield was the only son of the late Rev. Robert Emms Bradfield, and was born in the year following his father’s settlement in the town as minister of the Baptist Church. He began his career as a teacher in the one Board School that Rushden possessed in those days, but was not long in the scholastic profession. His only sister married the late Mr Fred Knight, who had commenced business as a boot manufacturer, and Mr Bradfield presently joined in the business, remaining with him until Mr Knight’s death and continuing as a director of the company to the end.

To the staple industry of the town and district Mr Bradfield gave valued service for some years as a member of the General Committee of the Rushden and District Boot and Shoe Manufacturers’ Association. In 1917 he took the place of Mr Knight as a committee member and continued to serve in that capacity until his retirement in 1932.

His last public appearance—at any rate, in connection with the boot and shoe trade—was when, in a characteristic speech, witty, and yet full of sincerity, he proposed the health of Miss Ruth Tomlinson, secretary of the Boot Manufacturers’ Federation, at the annual dinner in connection with the Federation’s meetings at the Masonic Hall, Rushden, in July 1931.

Replying to his tribute on that occasion, Miss Tomlinson said that although there was one toast on the list she was told she could not alter, she would not have done so, because it had been done from the affection of their hearts, and secondly, because she knew her old friend Mr Bradfield was to propose it, and she would not have robbed them of so scintillating a speech, yet one so wise and sane.

Mr Bradfield’s activities touched many of the talents which had made his father such an influential figure in old Rushden, as preacher, social reformer, and Temperance advocate, but Mr Bradfield, in addition to his astounding energy, was possessed of a keen wit which ever made him a formidable protagonist.

In the political sphere he was for many years an active Liberal supporter and one of the keenest workers in Rushden for the late Lord Channing of Wellingborough, who represented the then East Northants constituency from 1885-1910. He spoke frequently at local meetings in his inimitable way, and the esteem in which he was held by the Member for whom he worked may be judged by the kindly references in Lord Channing’s “Memories of Midland Politics.”

Of a meeting at Rushden in the 1892 election campaign, the author recalls that “Mr Parkin spoke from the chair with eloquence and enthusiasm, Mr Tomkins, with an appeal, deep-toned and weighty, Mr Harper with his touch of poetic Radicalism, W H Wilkins with exact reasoning and pointed business-like style, Bradfield with transparent loyalty to ideal.”

In this book is also a photograph of the late Mr Bradfield, taken earlier in life.

Although, therefore, while he did not hold the chairmanship of the Division, yet Mr Bradfield was a leading figure in East Northants politics and held many of the Liberal offices in Rushden itself, being for some years an inspiring chairman. To the end of his life he remained a vice-president of the Wellingborough Divisional Liberal Association.

Had it not been for the persuasions of Mr Bradfield, who visited him in London, Lord Channing—then Sir Francis—would have retired from active politics earlier than he did. He Consented to fight yet another battle in East Northants, won yet another victory, and afterwards recorded the incident on the flyleaf of a copy of “Memories if Midland Politics”—a souvenir highly prized by Mr Bradfield.

Mr Bradfield was largely responsible for the subsequent candidature of Sir Leo Chiozza Money, and in the Khaki Election just after the war he took a deep personal interest in Mr Milner Gray’s campaign.

Before the Education Act of 1902 came into operation, bringing with it the abolition of School Boards—an action vigorously opposed in the town at the time, Mr Bradfield was a member of the Rushden School Board, and by 1903 had served on it longer, with one exception, than any other member.

Mr Bradfield did not join the new Committee of School Managers, and it may be doubted whether the work of that authority would have been so congenial to him, for the days of continual fighting for principles were then passing.

The Board on which he served guided affairs during a period of transition and great growth, having but one school to manager at the beginning and over 2,000 scholars to provide for at the end.

Mr Bradfield’s father had previously fought strongly in the town for undenominational schools, and, as recorded by Mr Fred Corby, in his article on the educational developments in Rushden in the “Echo and Argus” supplement in March this year, he was one of the founders of the first undenominational school in Rushden, which was then held in the B.W.T.A. Hall.

Though not a great player of either game, Mr Bradfield unloosed all his energy in cricket and Rugby football for the old Rushden Town clubs, and for many years, with Mr Charles Claridge, hon. secretary of the Town C.C., being largely instrumental in securing the Newton-road sports ground for the town. His memory of all things relating to cricket was wonderful, and his friends spoke of him as a second “Wisden.”

With Mr Oliver Claridge he was joint hon. secretary of the Rushden Prisoners of War fund, which in one year raised over £2,000.

He was also a vice-president of the Rushden Branch of the British Legion and maintained a keen interest in its activities.

Mr Bradfield was a good judge of art and a patron of music. As a young man he could give a very good song, and enlivened many a concert.

The deceased gentleman was also a trustee of the Park-road Baptist Church and had served with enthusiasm in various financial efforts, especially when money was required to build the present church at the beginning of this century.

Mr Bradfield’s reputation as a humorist has already been noted and those whose pleasure it has been to attend social functions at which he was to speak will recollect that an after-dinner speech from him was invariably the event of the evening.

Perhaps his most celebrated effort was his annual speech at the Rushden Fire Brigade’s dinner, when, with his life companion, the late Mr Fred Knight, close at hand, he never failed to reach the height of satirical eloquence.

On occasion Mr Bradfield noted something in local political or municipal affairs which caught his fancy, and the result would be an entertaining commentary in verse, always well pointed but never unkind. Mr John Spencer J.P., as the leader of the Labour Party, has been the most frequent inspiration of these witticisms, and no one enjoyed them more than he.

Mr Bradfield was, of course, a great reader, and his literary taste and quality formed a notable part of his character. Mr Bradfield was the author of a series of cricket acrostics—and contributed towards the prize money—in the interests of the game, and was at the same time enjoying the mental exercise involved. He had previously had acrostics accepted by one of the national journals.

Mr Bradfield’s last contribution to the local Press was made in January, 1931, on the subject of the suggested amalgamation of Rushden and Higham Ferrers. He contributed a characteristic six stanza poem entitle “O’ Higham, where are thou? Local (Mis) Government.”

No townsman had a deeper interest in local history, or a more accurate memory of things observed in his own lifetime. Mr Bradfield could talk for hours about the town and district as it existed in the days before a proper system of local government came in, and his interest in men equalled his interest in affairs.

The town of Rushden is the poorer for his passing, for in it he had carved for himself a unique place which only a gentleman of such personality and ability as he possessed could have retained, along with the affection of so many friends, for so great a number of years.

Mr Bradfield’s sister, who as Marcia Knight won literary distinction, died in 1929, and his wife passed away in December, 1925. There were no children of the marriage.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, when the interment at the cemetery was preceded by a service at the Park-road Baptist Church, where the Rev J A Sutherland, of Luton (formerly of Rushden), delivered an inspiring, yet touching address.