FRANCIS SEWELL STEBBING

Francis is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.

Born: 1886, Ipswich.

Died: 13th August 1915; age: 29; Drowned Dardanelles, Aegean Sea, aboard ‘Royal Edward’ following torpedo attack by enemy submarine.

Rank: Pantryman 2nd Class.

Regiment: Mercantile Marine, Canadian Merchant Navy.

Memorial Reference:

Tower Hill Memorial,

London.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Francis Sewell & Edith Stebbing.

CENSUS

1891   89, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.

Francis was 4 years old and living with his widowed mother.

Edith Ann Stebbing (nee Phillips), 28, a Needlewoman, born Shotley, Suffolk.

1 boarder.

In 1899, Ipswich, Francis’s mother, Edith married widower, George Ditcham.

1901   31, Hayhill Road, Ipswich.

Francis was 14 years old, a Telegraph Messenger – Post Office. He was living with his mother, her husband and his children.

George Henry Ditcham, 34, a Clerk, born Ipswich.

Edith Ditcham, 36.

Stanley George Ditcham, 13, a Paper Boy, born Ipswich.

Aubrey Oswald Ditcham, 11, born Ipswich.

May Nellie Ditcham, 9, born Ipswich.

Frank Harold Ditcham, 4, born Ipswich.

Father: Francis Sewell Stebbing, born 1860, Ipswich – died 1886, Ipswich. A Solicitor’s Clerk.

George Henry Ditcham died 1901, Lambeth, Surrey. Francis’s mother, Edith Ditcham died 1913, Ipswich.

On the 21st March 1907, Francis became an Assistant Postman, at Ipswich.

Royal Edward