Grenfell Chronology

Brief History of Grenfell's Life, Awards & Honours

1865	Wilfred Thomason Grenfell born in Parkgate, England, February 28.
1883	Enters medical school at the London Hospital.
1885	Inspired by evangelist Dwight Moody to do God’s work.
1886	Becomes a medical doctor and joins the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.
1892	Comes to investigate the condition of the fishermen on the Labrador coast.
1893	Builds first hospital at Battle Harbour, Labrador.
1894	Grenfell Labrador Medical Mission formed.
1896	Makes first lecture tour of U.S.A.; starts Red Bay. Co-operative
1900	Chooses St. Anthony as headquarters for Grenfell Mission; acquires first hospital ship, Strathcona I.
1901	Establishes co-operative lumber mill at Roddickton.
1905	Starts orphanage in St. Anthony; Andrew Carnegie donates travelling library.
1906	Start of Grenfell Industrial Department.
1907	The Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George presented to Dr. Grenfell. Formation of Grenfell Association of America and Grenfell Association of New England.
1908	Brings reindeer to Newfoundland from Lapland; adrift on an icepan, Easter Sunday, April 21.
1909	Establishes non-denominational school at St. Anthony; marries Anne Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan on November 18.
1910	Birth of son, Wilfred Thomason, Jr.
1912	Formation of International Grenfell Association; birth of son Kinloch Pascoe.
1917	Birth of daughter, Rosamond Loveday.
1921	Builds brick orphanage at St. Anthony.
1926	Formation of Grenfell Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Grenfell has first heart attack.
1927	Knight Commander of The Order of St. Michael and St. George presented to Dr. Grenfell. New hospital at St. Anthony opens.
1928	Construction of marine slipway and dry dock in St. Anthony.
1929	Grenfell has second heart attack.
1931	Forbes-Grenfell expedition to chart entire Labrador coast
1937	Grenfell retires as Superintendent.
1938	Lady Grenfell dies.
1940	Dr. Grenfell dies.
1978	Formation of Grenfell Historical Society.
1981	Grenfell Regional Health Services established.
1992	The Grenfell Centennial.
1998	Completion of the Grenfell Masterplan.