Harold Heafford Proudfoot

He was the son of James Proudfoot and Harriet Heafford Proudfoot (nee Jacques). His mother was born in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, and her birth registered in 1859 (J/F/M Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire). She and James were married in about 1888 (possibly in Jamaica) and had three children of whom only two survived, Harold Heafford b. 21 August 1889 (Jamaica) and Winifred Alison b. 6 July 1891 (Jamaica). The family was living in Jamaica, where James was a Methodist missionary, at the time of the 1891 Census but by 1901 was back in England and living on Main Street, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. Only Harriet (42) was in the home on the night of the census with the two children, Harold (11) and Winifred (9). By 1911 the family home was at 24 Frederick Street, Loughborough, and again only Harriet (52), Harold (21), a medical student, and Winifred (19) were in the home on the night of the census. It is possible that as a Methodist minister Harold's father was staying where he would be taking services on the Sunday. James Proudfoot was minister at Lenton Church (Nottingham Central Circuit) at the time of his son's death in 1916. Harold was living in Burnley when he enlisted in the Army (see 'employment/hobbies'). Harriet died on 12 December 1936; she and James were then living at 'Sandymount', Woodward Avenue, Quorn, Leicestershire. James died on 2 March 1940; he was still living at 'Sandymount'. Harold's sister Winifred trained as a nurse (registration date 18 December 1923) and in 1934 was living in Quorn, probably with her parents. She did not marry and died in 1972 (Dec Leicester) aged 81.

Harold Proudfoot MB ChB D.Ph. Educated at Ashville College, Harrogate, and Loughborough Grammar School where he was a boarder. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University from 1906-1911 (registration 24 October 1906) gaining an MB and ChB. Physician at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary then took a post at Monsall Fever Hospital, Manchester, and later a post at Bolton Infirmary, Lancashire. Entered University of Manchester to study part-time for DpH which was awarded in 1912.

Attached 26th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Harold was killed when the mess dug-out he was in was hit by a shell. He is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France (grave ref. 8.I.7).

Harold is also commemorated on the Loughborough War Memorial, St Peter’s Church Mountsorrel Roll of Honour, Edinburgh University’s Roll of Honour, Rawlins Old Quornians Association Roll of Honour and Loughborough Grammar School’s Roll of Honour. (www.battlefieldsandbeyond.com/2016/09/captain-proudfoot-ramc) The following article was published on 15th September 1916 in the Nottingham Daily Express and is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 :- “Nottingham Minister’s Son Killed. “Relatives in Nottingham have received the painful news that Captain Harold Heafford Proudfoot has been killed while serving with the R.A.M.C. A career of brilliant promise has been terminated by the death of this young officer, who came of a family highly esteemed in United Methodist Free Church circles, his father being well known as a missionary in that connexion, and is now minister at the Lenton Church of the Nottingham Central Circuit. His father (the Rev. James Proudfoot) took up his duties in Nottingham about a month ago. An uncle, Mr. W. Proudfoot, holds a responsible position on the staff of the “Sheffield Daily Telegraph.” “Captain Proudfoot was born in Jamaica, and after receiving his early education at Ashville College, Harrogate, and Loughborough Grammar School, he had a most distinguished career at Edinburgh University while studying for the medical profession. He was subsequently for some years resident surgeon in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and from there he went to Lancashire, and he obtained his D.Ph. just before going to the front as a lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. He soon secured promotion to the rank of captain. “While inspecting a battery of the R.F.A. and chatting with the officers a big shell struck the mess dug-out, and only one of the occupants escaped. Captain Proudfoot was to have been married on August 31st, but all leave had been stopped.” Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Casualties’, 14 September 1916: ‘Killed. Capt. HH Proudfoot. Capt. Harold Heafford Proudfoot, RAMC, who was attached to the RFA, has been killed in action. He was educated at Edinburgh University, where he took his degrees MB, ChB in 1911 Capt. Proudfoot was resident medical officer of the Burnley Union Infirmary, second house surgeon of the Bolton Infirmary, assistant medical officer of the Monsall Fever Hospital, and late house physician of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He resided for some time at Loughborough.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Proudfoot Harold otherwise Harold Heafford of Burnley, temporary captain RAMC died 2 September 1916 in France Probate London 12 January to James Proudfoot minister. Effects £817 11s. 4d. Probate: Proudfoot Harriet Heafford of Sandymount Woodward-avenue Quorn Leicestershire (wife of James Proudfoot) died 12 December 1936 Probate Leicester 12 April to the said James Proudfoot retired Government servant and Winifred Alison Proudfoot spinster. Effects £838 16s. Probate: Proudfoot James of Sandymount Woodward-avenue Quorn Leicestershire died 2 March 1940 Probate Leicester 25 May to Winifred Alison Proudfoot spinster. Effects £1524 6s. 10d.