Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 103:

Cranfield, A.B., OP, Irish
He Came to Restore a Lost Family Fortune
Regret is expressed that the county origin, education etc. have not as yet been ascertained. The subject in question arrived in Melbourne on 23 April 1891 on board the 'Oruba' from London to Sydney. Seemingly he found a place in the Brisbane Diocese and was sent to help Fr. Peter Capra in Roma — a valiant already described under the caption — From Roma to the Gulf of Carpentaria with Pack Horse and Vestments. The dry climate appointment would suggest a T.B. condition, and this is hinted at in a letter of February 1968, received from Fr. Luke Taheney OP, historian of the Irish Province of the Dominicans, and residing at "The Cladach", Galway. He writes: "Rome and the Order encouraged a number of young men to go to Australia for health reasons and to help out with the shortage of priests. Very likely Cranfield was such a one. When the necessity of rescripts came in I'm not sure, but I guess in the 1870's. Cranfield had such a rescript, but had intentions of returning to Ireland once he had achieved his purpose, namely, to retrieve the family fortune which had collapsed ... As he died before the three year period was up we shall never know if he was going to be secularized or not ..."
And that is all that has been revealed of the 35 year old who died 25 May 1894 and lies in a grave at Roma.
(Footprints, Vol. 3, No. 2)
Information: As quoted.

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev A B Cranfield, OP, died 25 May 1894

Early details are as yet unavailable. Father Cranfield arrived in Melbourne on 23 April 1891 on board the 'Oruba' from London. Seemingly he found a place in the Brisbane Diocese and was sent to help Father Peter Capra in Roma. The dry climate appointment could suggest a T.B. condition. It had been mentioned that he would return to Ireland once he had regained his health. Unfortunately he died before his three-year tenure was up. That is all that is known about the 35-year-old who lies in a grave at Roma. Fr Peter Capra buried him.
(Ref. Linane C183)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 42-43:
Fr Richard Bernard Cranfield OP

Richard Bernard Cranfield OP was born at Sandymount, County Dublin in 1857. Sandymount is an affluent suburb about 4 kilometres south-east of Dublin, by the sea.

He was born into a well-known Grafton Street family who were non-Catholic. He was the eldest son of his father, William Cranfield. His mother, Georgina Cranfield nee Woods, was an extremely devoted Catholic and was much esteemed by the great Irish Dominican, Father Tom Bourke OP. Richard was baptised on November 18, 1857. At the death of his father, the widow brought up her children in the (Catholic) faith. … Cardinal Cullen took a lively interest in the family, and especially in the eldest son of this good mother. It was thought at the time that this brilliant young lad would prepare for the life of a secular priest. He came under the influence of Father Bourke, and between the son of the widow and the eloquent Dominican, who had a peculiar charm in attracting youth to his side, there sprang up a friendship which terminated in death.(1)

Fr Cranfield ministered in Ireland for ten years. As he was suffering from rheumatism it was thought that the climate of Queensland would restore his constitution. Well known even outside Ireland his pending arrival was advertised in Brisbane some months prior to his arrival. He arrived in Melbourne on 23 April 1891 aboard the SS Oruba and was in Brisbane by the first of May.(2) He was appointed to assist Fr Capra in Roma because of its dry and bracing climate. He had spent three years in that parish before his health deteriorated. He died on Saturday morning 26 May 1894, and was buried on Sunday 27 May.

Report of Fr Cranfield's death in the local paper a few days after his death
The news of the death of the Rev Father Cranfield, which occurred at the Catholic Presbytery early on Saturday morning last, has been received with a keen feeling of sorrow throughout the community. For some time past, the deceased has been in a delicate state of health, which could not have escaped the least observant of the many people with whom he came in contact. But he had a demeanour so naturally cheerful, that his death has been received with feelings akin to shock.

The impression he made on the local community was evidenced by the length of the article published on this occasion.

The crowds of people of all denominations who visited the presbytery on Saturday to view his remains bore deeper testimony than words can express. On Saturday night the body was removed to the chapel, where Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday; the Rev Andrew Horan delivered a brief but eloquent sermon on the qualities of the departed priest. The funeral took place in the afternoon, and was a remarkable spectacle. Over 1000 people took part in the procession. The cortege was led by the school children, followed by the members of the Hibernian Society bearing the coffin, then came the members of the Young Men's Catholic Society, pedestrians, vehicles and horsemen. Many people attended from the country, and no funeral like it was seen in Roma before. As an incident to depict the scene it may be mentioned that none of the Sunday schools held services, and the Salvation Army withheld their usual outdoor service. The sight was a remarkable one, and will be long remembered.(3)

The Brisbane Catholic paper, the Age, published a lengthy article on Fr Cranfield that appears to have been written by a nameless person, who had known him from his boyhood.

He put on the habit of a Dominican at Tallaght, Dublin, began his priestly education at their house of studies in Co Cork. From there he went to Rome. In Rome he contracted rheumatism. This was his burden till the end of his life. His superior believed the climate of Brisbane would bring him relief. When this did not eventuate, Archbishop Dunne appointed him to Roma, believing that its dry and bracing climate would be a powerful antidote to his illness. For a time, here he regained strength and did great work in that arduous mission field. He had hopes that his order would establish a house in Australia. But his illness returned to take his life at a young age.(4)

Few priests could attend his funeral at short notice, but there was a large gathering at his Month's Mind as reported in the press.

The month's mind of the late Rev Father Cranfield, OP, took place on Tuesday morning at St Stephen's Cathedral, at 10 o'clock (says the Brisbane Telegraph). His Grace Archbishop Dunne presided. Amongst the clergy were the very Rev Father Vincent (Passionist), Rev A Horan, Rev M Horan, Rev J B Breen, Rev P Corrigan, Rev D Hegerty, Rev T Hayes, Rev D Walsh, Rev M Morris, Rev J S Dunham, Rev T Lee, Rev J Power, Rev P Fouhy, Rev J Enright, Rev M J McKiernan, and Rev F Dorrigan. At the appointed hour the clergy filed into the sanctuary, and took their places. Before the high altar was a catafalque on which were placed the sacerdotal vestments. The altar was draped in black, and the following inscription appeared in white letters: Eternal rest to him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on him. The solemn office commenced at the appointed hour, the Rev M J McKiernan and the Rev T Hayes being cantors. At the conclusion of the office the requiem Mass was commenced, the Rev J S Dunham being celebrant, with the Rev M J M McKiernan deacon, and the Rev T Lee subdeacon. The singing of the Benedictus by the choir, and the Miserere was very effective. At the conclusion of the Mass the last absolution was given by his grace the Archbishop and the organ gave forth the Dead March. The congregation, considering the day being a working day, was large, as the deceased was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. Rev D Fouhy was master of ceremonies.(6)

The Brisbane Telegraph published a Roma Star article on the memorial to Father Cranfield

Within the past few days a handsome and striking monument has been erected in the Roma cemetery to the memory of the late Rev R F B Cranfield, OP. Standing to the left of the entrance gate the visitor will have no difficulty in finding it, as it forms the largest piece of masonry in the cemetery, and the Celtic cross on the summit is a conspicuous landmark in the Roman Catholic portion of the burying ground. The pedestal of the cross is supported on four massive stone cubes. The base of the platform measures 5 feet 6 inches square, and rises in a flight of rectangular white freestone steps, Over which is a plain moulded marble shaft surmounted by a Sicilian marble Celtic cross. On two opposite sides of the pedestal are small pediments, moulded and columned. In both, marble tablets are inserted, one bearing the simple inscription:-
In Memory of Rev R B Cranfield, OP,
Died at Roma, 26th May, 1894 RIP
(Erected by the People of Roma)(6)

Footnotes
1. Catholic Press, Sydney, 1 Oct 1914, p. 29.
2. Prayer Calendar - Deceased Priest who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts 1864-2007, p. 17.
3. Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, 30 May 1894, p. 2.
4. Age, Brisbane, Jun 1894, p. 6.
5. Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, 30 Jun, 1894, p. 3.
6. Telegraph, Brisbane, 1 Nov 1894 p. 5.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.