Hadfield studied engineering before taking a job at Best and Lloyd, who made light fittings, where he worked from 1924 to 1930 locally and in London.

In later life he became involved with the National Trust, working on the reconstruction of historic gardens such as Westbury Court in Gloucestershire which had fallen into disrepair.

[3] He began to work with the National Trust on the reconstruction of historic gardens such as Westbury Court in Gloucestershire which had fallen into disrepair.

[1] Following the death of his mother, Hamstead Mount was sold, and in 1962[3] Hadfield moved to Dillon's Orchard, Wellington Heath, near Ledbury in Herefordshire.

[4][8] His papers are held in the special collections of the University of Reading and include extensive material relating to Hadfield's friend, the photographer Edward Cahen.