Dr Edward Charles Davenport - 1871-1958

Successor to Dr Blake of Bower's House

By Rosemary Ross

Information drawn from obituaries in Harpenden Free Press and Herts Advertiser 

Photo:Dr Davenport

Dr Davenport

Photo by R Ross of framed photo, courtesy of Davenport House Surgery, October 2016

Edward Charles Davenport was born in 1871, the youngest son of the Rector of Wellford-on-Avon. After school in Stratford-on-Avon he started his training at the London Hospital in 1891 and obtained MB (Lond.), MRCS (Eng.) and LRCP (Lond.). After holding various hospital appointments and embarking on a voyage as a ship’s doctor, he took a locum job in Fu Chow, China, where he met and married Ida Chambers, who was at that time nursing in the Church of England Zenana Mission Hospital.

In 1902 Dr Davenport took over a practice in Canton and was the Medical Officer of Health to H.M. Consulate in Canton and to the Chinese Imperial Customs. His two children were born in Canton: his son, Surgeon Commander James Edward (Pat) Davenport RN was serving in Australia at the time of his father’s death. His daughter Helen married Ralph Washington Gray in Harpenden, but had died in 1951.

From China to Harpenden

In 1915 Dr Davenport gave up his practice in Canton in order to return to England to do war work and he gave his services to the London Hospital for the remainder of WWI. During this time his family was living in Harpenden, and after the war he took over the practice of Dr W H Blake, basing his surgery at Borodale, Kirkwick Avenue. He soon endeared himself to his patients in Harpenden by his painstaking attention to detail and by his care and consideration for all, particularly for those on his ‘panel’. He was a keen supporter of the scheme for the establishment of a hospital in the Red House, when this was given by Sir Halley Stewart for use for this purpose. He was involved from the inception, and opening of the hospital and afterwards in his professional capacity until his retirement in 1945.

Partnership with Dr Hester - and the tough war years

He was joined in his partnership by Dr K H C Hester in 1937, and had intended to retire when he was 70 in 1941. However by then WWII had begun and he continued to practice with the assistance of Dr Williamson while Dr Hester served with the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1942-46, and then of Dr T E Whitby who joined the practice on demobilisation from the RAF. The war years were probably the hardest of his career, as he visited his patients in the black-out and during the hard winters.

Cricket and tennis enthusiast

Dr Davenport was always interested in local sport, especially cricket. For many years he served on the committee and was at one time President of Harpenden Cricket Club. In 1952 he was made an honorary life Vice-President of Hertfordshire County Cricket Club. He was also a very good croquet player and for several years running he fought out the finals of the singles with Mr Henry Mardall at the Harpenden Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

As a keen Freemason, Dr Davenport was Past Master of the London Hospital Lodge and later of Harpenden Lodge.

Note

The Local History archives contain a copy of Dr Davenport's 1904 Report on the Health of Canton, a more detailed biography of Dr Davenport by Lawrence Payne - LAF People: Davenport 3 & 4

This page was added by Rosemary Ross on 18/10/2016.
Comments about this page

Dr Davenport was a familiar figure  in the war years when, although in his seventies, he continued in practice - which in those days was fairly unusual. He once attended my grandfather who was on a visit here, my mother considering the two of them were more or less of an age.

The Hesters moved to Roundwood Park around the time that we were also newcomers there, and my parents came to know them quite well. Dr Hester would sometimes call in for lunch if his wife was indisposed. He diagnosed my hay fever, and me being a faddy eater at age 4 he advised 'Don't push him, but let him try whatever he wants.'  It worked. The Hesters later moved to Milton Road.

Dr Willamson also lived in Roundwood Park.  He had a little fair-haired daughter called Sally and they took on the VE Day Bonfire outside Number 10 Roundwood Park.

The practice also included a Dr Rennie in the war years. This was notable because Dr Rennie was a lady - almost unheard of then. She was certainly the only lady doctor in Harpenden. 

Dr Hester remained in the practice until the 1970's when a great party was held at the Public Hall on his retirement.  There was a photo of him on the steps of the Hall, surrounded by all the young people at whose births he had assisted.

By John Wyborn
On 13/12/2016

Edward did his pre-clinical training at Mason Science College (1890-91)

By Peter Vessey
On 26/01/2021
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