A prominent figure in Rushden for forty-seven years, Dr. Dudley George Greenfield, M.D., M.R.C.S., died on Wednesday at his residence 76, Wymington Rd., Rushden. He had more than a local reputation in the medical profession and as a townsman of Rushden had taken the lead in many matters, being chairman of the Council in 1929-30.

A native of Kent, he trained at Guy’s Hospital and was not in practice until he came to Rushden in 1903. Soon his strong personality made him an influential figure and he took part in social work of many kinds.

Dr. Greenfield had much skill in surgical work and in the Great War of 1914-18 he gave notable service as a surgeon at military hospitals in France. [see also VAD Hospital]

Lecture

Afterwards he became president of the Rushden British Legion branch for many years and acquired a reputation as a speaker and lecturer, contributing largely to the local Health Week campaign of the 1920’s.

It was in the 1925 Urban Council election, when the membership was raised from 12 to 18, that he joined the Council, heading the poll in the East Ward on his first appearance as a candidate. He had great influence on the Council and his rise to the chairmanship was unusually swift.

The Doctor was a vigorous advocate of swimming baths, and when the Rushden Bath was opened it was he who took the first plunge. Afterwards he was president of the Rushden Swimming Club.

When the Council acquired Rushden Hall and its grounds the Doctor took a leading part in developing the estate as a public pleasure resort, his idea being that the grounds should retain their original character as far as possible.

Hope Realised

During the Second World War Dr. Greenfield gave service on medical boards. He went into professional retirement soon afterwards but continued much of his public work and distinguished himself as the virtual leader of the popular demand for a hospital in the town.

His hope was realised last year with the opening of the war memorial hospital in Hayway, and he was then chosen to serve on the house committee.

The Doctor was at various times a member of several British Medical Association committees and in particular represented Northamptonshire on the Insurance Acts Committee. When State Control of the medical services was first mooted he opposed many aspects of the scheme with typical forthrightness.

Dr. Greenfield assisted the Rushden Nursing Association, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Moral Welfare Association, and many other local bodies. He was a staunch Conservative and churchman and for about fifteen years had served as Rector’s Warden at St. Mary’s, also being vice-chairman of the Parochial Church Council.

Artist

He was an artist of considerable ability and his paintings in the impressionist style were seen at many Northamptonshire exhibitions. Music was another great interest and for some years he found time to act as choir master of St. Peter’s Church.

The loss of his only child, David, was a great blow to Dr. Greenfield and more recently he was bereaved by the death of his wife. He re-married about thirteen months ago and is survived by his second wife.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 13th January 1950, transcribed by Kay Collins

"Rushden has lost a leading citizen, an artist and a musician. The medical profession is the poorer for his passing, but richer for his life work."

This tribute to the late Dr. D. G. Greenfield—endorsed as the company stood in silence— was paid by Coun. W. E. Capon (chairman) when Rushden Urban Council opened its meeting on Wednesday.

A still greater tribute, said Mr. Capon, would come from the many who knew Dr. Greenfield not only as their own doctor, but as one with understanding and a genius for friendship towards all.

The doctor was a member of the Council for 12 years. He fought four elections, headed the poll each time, and on three occasions led by over 200 votes. Five times he was chairman of the Parks and Baths Committee.

In Council discussions he displayed ability and judgment, and on occasion, when it was his turn to reply in debate, there was a marshalling of argument, which few could equal and none surpass.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 20th January, 1950, transcribed by Gill Hollis

After the service the casket was carried by Mrs. C. C. Baxter to the grave where Dr. Greenfield’s first wife and son are buried. It was there that Colonel Greenfield said : “Although he was my brother, I feel he also belonged to you in this town.” He dropped on the casket a posy of violets taken from the coat of Mrs. Greenfield.

In his address, the Rector (the Rev. E. A. Green) said Dr. Greenfield had been a well-known figure in public life. Thousands of people in the town must have learned to trust him and to thank him for his sympathetic attention and skill as a physician.

Gifted Painter

“He was deeply attached to this church; he attended every Sunday and read the Lessons at the services. He made improvements to the chancel and the lighting of the church.

“He loved the beauties of nature and was a gifted painter.

“One of his last requests was that there should be no memorial to his memory, but I hope there will be of the kind he would most desire. He wanted the young men to take the reins of the older ones in the church, and to do that would be the best memorial you could give him.”

The service was conducted by the curate (the Rev. J. Boatright), and Mr. J. Lindsay Clipson was at the organ.

Family mourners were : Mrs. Greenfield (widow), Lieut.-Col. H. Greenfield, of Hythe, Kent (brother), Lt.-Col. and Mrs. C. Phillips, of Bristol (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Miss M. Fraser and Miss F. Fraser, London (nieces).

Also in attendance were the chairman of the Rushden Urban Council, Coun. W. E. Capon, and Couns. F. E. Brown, A. H. Dickens, A. H. Bailey (also representing the Wellingborough Divisional Conservative Association), J. H. J. Paragreen, H. Waring, E. Newell, J. T. Richardson, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow and Mrs. O. B. Lean, with Mr. A. G. Crowdy (clerk).

Dr. A. V. Poyser, representing the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour; Mr. G. H. Thompson (president Northamptonshire B.M.A.), Mr. E. E. T. Taylor (secretary Northamptonshire branch B.M.A.), Dr. J. Arthur (chairman of the Northamptonshire Medical Committee), Dr. C. H. Sedgwick, of Gayton; Mr. R. A. Banham (Northamptonshire branch B.M.A.), Dr. B. W. Paine, Dr. D. McCracken, D. G. H. Lord (Rushden House Sanatorium), Dr. Margaret Carter, Wollaston (representing Northamptonshire branch B.M.A.), Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Summers, Kettering; Dr. C. S. Carter Wollaston Northamptonshire Medical Committee), Dr. O. B. Lean, Dr. D. Pickard, Dr. R. McCabe, Dr. W. M. Robson, Northampton; Dr. T. Murray Strang, Wellingborough (representing Northamptonshire branch B.M.A., Northamptonshire Medical Committee and Northamptonshire Executive Council), Mr. William Shearer, Wellingborough (representing British Dental Association), and Mr. P. Stroulger (clerk to the Northamptonshire Executive Council N.H.S.).

Mr. G. Barrick (representing Wellingborough branch Toc H and the Rev. P. B. Clayton), Mr. Cyril Skeeles and Mr. Cyril Leeding (representing the Rushden branch Toc H and the Rev. P. B. Clayton). Corps Supt. J. Marshall Bailey, Sergt. W. M. Burgess, Supt. Miss W. M. Clipson, Ambulance Officer Mrs. Sumpter (representing the St. John Movement and First Aid Post).

Ald. H. R. Patenall (chairman Rushden House Sanatorium Committee), Mr. A. C. A. Colton and the Rev. H. Kenyon (representing After Care Committee), Mr. G. W. Marriott (Rushden and District Shoe Manufacturers’ Association and Rushden and District Golf Club), Mrs. P. H. R. Cocayne (Wellingborough Conservative Association), Mr. L. G. Gardner (British Legion), Mr. W. H. Imison (National Provincial Bank), Mr. D. Winters (Scout District Commissioner), Mr. E. Bryon (secretary Scout Association), Mr. R. H. Brown and Mr. E. White (Rushden St. Mary’s Scouts).

Mrs. N. Burland and Miss M. Burland, Blackheath, London; Mrs. L. Sanders, Mr. Elstow and Miss Millie, Mrs. W. E. Capon, Mrs. B. W. Paine, Mrs. H. W. Ellis, Mrs. H. R. Patenall, Mrs. J. M. Bailey, Mrs. T. C. Woods, Mrs. D. Chamberlain (also representing Mr. D. Chamberlain), Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Sargent, Mrs. W. P. Sargent, Mrs. R. E. B. Sargent (also representing Mr. R. E. B. Sargent), Mrs. A. E. Barker, Earls Barton; Col. J. Marriott, Major and Mrs. R. A. Marriott, Mrs. Van der Hayden, Mr. and Mrs. L. Phillips, Mrs. E. A. Green, Miss C. Green (also representing Miss H. Green), Misses B. and J. Lean, Mr. F. J. Sharwood, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. S. Green, Mrs. P. W. Willis, Mr. and Mrs. M. P. O’Connor, Miss C. Sanders, Miss E. M. Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Denton, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Cox, Mr. G. S. North and Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sanders.

Mr. H. Wright, Mr. W. E. Billington, Mr. C. H. Blunsom, Mr. F. A. Fairey, Mr. J. Roe, Mr. A. L. Sanders, Mr. G. E. V. Fleeman, Mr. and Mrs. Page, Mr. T. C. P. Hedley, Mrs. S. C. Brightwell, Mr. A. N. Groome, Rev. E. Houghton, Mrs. M. Jolley, Mrs. A. S. Essam, Mrs. W. Green, Miss L. Waller, Mrs. E. Cox, Mrs. M. King, Mrs. C. Felce, Mr. C. R. Tunn, Mr. W. Knight, Mrs. F. Knight, Mrs. A. Weekley, Mr. and Mrs. Espin, Mr. B. B. Page, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Haseldine, Mr. H. Tebbutt, Mrs. C. Clifton, Miss F. James, Mrs. A. Boxall, Mrs. G. Reynolds, Mrs. E. Fensome, Mr. C. C. Holman, Mr. F. Higham, Mrs. P. W. Bletsoe, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Matthews, Mrs. E. Howes, Mr. T. J. Mumford, Mr. C. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hardwick, Mr. and Mrs. C. d. Timpson, Mrs. D. Patenall, Miss A. Litchfield, Mrs. B. Hart, Mr. E. Lawson, Miss Short, Mrs. E. Taylor, Mrs. Dickens, Miss M. Dickens, Mr. Whittington, Mrs. L. Marks, Mars. Darnell, Mrs. Smart and Mrs. Neal.