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In 1888, Harry moved to Petersfield and became assistant to Dr Leachman in a general medical practice. He became a partner in the practice in 1889 and when Dr Leachman retired on 31st of December 1902, Harry bought his half of the practice share and practice drugs etc. for £1000.10 Sometime between 1892 when their second daughter Nancy was born and 1901 when Leslie arrived, Harry and Gertrude moved to 35 College Street, Petersfield. This is now known as ‘The Old College’, as it had been built as a result of the will of Richard Churcher for the opening of Churcher's College in 1730. The school moved to its present larger buildings at the top of Ram's Hill in 1881.11
The 1901 census records Harry and Gertrude at No 35 with their children Owen and Nancy. There was also a governess, Margaret A. Damprey aged 23, born at Baswick in Somerset and two servants Florence A. Mickham aged 25, born in Emsworth, a housemaid domestic and Ada B. Pragnell aged 22 from Freshwater, Isle of Wight a cook domestic, in the house12. Gertrude was a founder member of the Petersfield Women’s Institute in 1900. This was one of the first Women’s Institutes to be formed, as the National Association was not started until after the 1914-1918 war. She was the leader of the ‘Pierrette’group.13
When Harry retired due to ill health in about 1926 he and Gertrude moved to 18, Lennox Road, Southsea, Hants.14 Harry died in hospital on May 10th 1929.
The record in the National Probate Register Index reads:
BROWNFIELD Harry Munyard of 18 Lennox Road North, Southsea, Hampshire, died 5th November 1829 in St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth. Probate London, to Gertrude Maria Brownfield, widow. Effects £9228 – 6 – 12.
From an obituary in the local paper:
“Dr Brownfield very soon won the esteem of the inhabitants, taking a keen interest in the affairs of the town and with his wife sharing largely in its social life and exercising his talent as an amateur actor in many delightful entertainments, which they helped to organize for all sorts of charitable purposes. After a time he became a partner with Dr Leachman, was elected a member of the Urban Council and then succeeded Dr. Leachman as Medical Officer of Health. He took a very keen interest in the Volunteers and Territorials and served for very many years as surgeon in these forces reaching the rank of Colonel and receiving the Volunteer medal for long service.
He was a pioneer of Red Cross work in Petersfield and the first Commandant. During the war period he did greatly valued service as Medical Officer to the military hospitals in the neighbourhood, and in connection with First aid and Ambulance activities (being a lecturer to the Hampshire County Council, an Hon. Associate of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and lecturer and examiner to the St. John's Ambulance Association) he received the decoration of O.B.E.”
Other Appointments:
Staff medical officer, Petersfield Cottage Hospital
Certifying Factory Surgeon
Medical officer to the Post Office
Medical Officer to the Petersfield Division of the Hampshire Constabulary
Medical officer to the London and South Western railway
Vicars Warden St Peters Church 1914-1924
Interests: Amateur dramatics and the Horticultural society.
Gertrude Maria continued to live at 18 Lennox Road South until she died of cancer of the throat in the first quarter of 1934.15
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