Russell Aubrey John STANFORD. 1909-1967.

Rotary Club of Scunthorpe President 1952/53.

Russell Stanford was born in India in 1909. His father was in the Army at the time, but later became the Superintendent of Government Dairy farms in the Agra area. The eldest of 3 children, (his brother Cuthbert was born 1911, and his sister Marie born in 1918), Russell boarded at St Joseph’s School, Nainital with his brother, a 2 day train journey into the Himalayas.

When his father died in 1918, the family had to wait a full year for a passage home, due to the First World War. They settled in Galway for 2 years, before moving to Dublin. The boys boarded at Blackrock College. Eventually Russell went to University College Dublin in 1927 to read Medicine, qualifying in 1932. He was a House Physician in St Vincent’s Hospital for 1 year before moving to Barnsley to become a GP.

Russell moved to Scunthorpe in 1934, buying a practice from Dr Kidson. His brother joined him the same year, and then, in 1937, Charlie O’Connor, a friend from University days, joined the practice.

After the war, Henry Clyne another friend from Dublin days also joined the practice, to be followed in 1954 by Kevin McGuane.

Russell married Anne McDonnell from Kerry, in 1932, and they had 6 children. He was a devoted family man whose other interests were his religion and Catholic charities, Rugby, which had been fostered in Blackrock, and of course, Rotary.

Russell liked nothing better than International weekends when he could go and watch Ireland play, the result was definitely not the most important thing. When he played in Barnsley, his team mate in the second row was the local Vicar; equally large and ebullient, and so both spiritual and medical aid was administered jointly. Russell was a leading light in Scunthorpe RUFC over many years and contributed greatly in many ways.

Practical jokes also appealed to Russell. While staying at the Irish Club in Eaton Square with Alan Collins at an International Rugby weekend, he was asked to vouch for Alan Collins (the Scunthorpe Solicitor and Coroner) as a bona fide guest. Russell replied “never heard of the so and so” Alan Collins was duly ejected but eventually saw the funny side of it.

Russell loved Rotary; One of the most distinguished Rotary accolades to come to the Scunthorpe Club was bestowed on Rotarian Russell Stanford, when he was elected Chairman (today District Governor) of District 104 for the year 1959/60.

He enjoyed meeting people, travelling and helping wherever he could. He went to the Lake Placid Meeting, crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Tragically cancer cut short his life, but the memories, his good deeds and his family are a lasting testament to a good man.

Provided by Rotarian, David Nash, Archivist Rotary Club of Scunthorpe