Stanley Bradfield belonged to a vigorous, capable and generally long lived family. He was one of the six children of Dr JJC Bradfield, who planned the Sydney Harbour Bridge and underground railway system for Sydney, worked for years to persuade the Government to adopt his plan and then supervised the construction. An older brother of Stan's was a doctor and was still available to see patients at the age of 94.
From Sydney Church of England Grammar School, Bradfield went to the University of Sydney, graduating with first-class honours. After residencies at Royal Prince Alfred, South Sydney and Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, he went to England and became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians. Returning to Sydney in 1935, he entered general practice at Bankstown and became an honorary physician at Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in 1936. War service, much of it with the 2/12 Australian General Hospital, occupied 1941 to 1944. He was always very happy with children and they were attracted to him, and in 1951, he restricted his work to paediatrics in Bankstown and Macquarie Street.
Bradfield was a small man but, like his father, very vigorous and active. He loved bushwalking, camping, surfing, tennis, gardening and Gilbert and Sullivan music, sharing these with his family and going to church with them when he could. His slim figure pushed ahead on their walks, eagerly seeking interest. At hospital he skipped up the steps and moved briskly along the corridors, his students trailing behind.
He was accidentally killed when almost 45, helping an expert fell a dangerous tree on his holiday camp property. A rope tightened suddenly and broke his neck and ribs, killing him instantly. His widow, Enid, was able to bring up his four young children, two girls and two boys, and all have had successful careers. The youngest is a doctor with a striking resemblance to his father.