It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer, Insp David Corfield, who died at St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington on 18th May 2023, aged 79 years. David’s wife Carolyn, an accomplished ceramic artist, had died at their Darlington home, with David by her side, on 3rd March 2023, aged 77 years.
David joined Durham County Constabulary as a cadet in 1960, becoming a regular officer on 28th July 1963. In 1966, newly married to Carolyn, he seized the opportunity to experience Channel Island life as a Guernsey policeman. In 1969, due to a family illness, he returned to the North East, rejoining the Durham Force and was posted to Kibblesworth.
He later transferred to Traffic Patrols (South) in the early 1970’s and was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1979 he attended the Home Office Central Planning Unit at Pannel Ash, Harrogate, where he qualified as an instructor. By 1980 he had passed his Inspector’s exams and in 1984 was seconded to the Police Training Centre at Harperley Hall, near Crook.
In 1985 David gained a Diploma in Supervisory Management and worked as Operational Shift Commander, later becoming Deputy Sub-Divisional Commander. In 1986 he completed Air Reconnaissance Training with the RAF and qualified as an Authorised Firearms Officer the following year.
His remaining years of active service, up until his retirement on 17th October 1993 was spent as A/Chief Inspector at Barnard Castle. Although retired as a Police Officer, David remained with the Force as a civilian member of staff in Traffic Management at Aykley Heads from 1994 until 2000.
Between 2002 and 2005 David was one of six founding members of Darlington Borough Council CCTV Independent Inspectorate. He then continued to work for the National Centre for Social Research; as an Examination Invigilator for both Teesside University and Darlington College; and became an established figure within, and ultimately Chairman of the North Eastern Railway Association.
David and Carolyn are survived by daughter Sue, son Nathan, sister Tina and grandchildren Honor, Rebecca and Kim.
At the request of the couple no funeral services were arranged, however a small memorial service was held for Carolyn, prior to David’s death in May, at St Oswald's Church in Durham, where they were married and their children christened.
A memorial event for David was held on 6th August 2023 for close friends and family at Tanfield Railway, Tanfield Lea, Stanley. Donations in their memory can be sent to St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington DL3 7UA.
To a genuine gent and to a woman of creative force, our thoughts are with their family and friends at this very sad time.
