Career
Handfield was commissioned in Philipps" Regiment (the 40th Regiment of Foot) as an Ensign in 1720, taking up his duties at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1731 and received promotions to Lieutenant-Captain (1739), Captain (1740), Major (1754), and Lieutenant-Colonel (1758). Appointed to the Nova Scotia Council at Annapolis Royal in 1736 and granted the position of Justice of the Peace by Governor Peregrine Hopson in 1752.
In 1750 he was commander at Fort Anne, Annapolis Royal.
In a letter to John Winslow he states, “I heartily join with You in wishing that we were both of us got over this most disagreeable and troublesome part of the Service.”
In 1758 he fought at the Siege of Louisbourg, retiring from His majesty"s service in 1760. He moves to Boston upon his retirement and by 1776 is found in Ireland where he dies at Waterford on April 20, 1787.
