Mr Samuel Francis Sedunary (third class steward, better known as Sidney) was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England on 25 February 1887.
He was the son of Thomas Theodore Sedunary (1861-1900) and Sarah Radbourne (1856-1936), both natives of Reading who had married on 8 October 1882 in Hurst, Berkshire.
Sidney had six known siblings: Arthur George (b. 1888), Hilda Mary (b. 1889), Ernest Claude (b. 1891), Mildred Elizabeth (b. 1892), Mabel Constance (b. 1896) and Doris Kathleen (b. 1899).
He first appears on the 1891 census living at 7 Speen View, Newbury and his father is listed as a machinist. His father would pass away in 1900 and on the subsequent 1901 census he, his widowed mother and siblings are living at 15/16 Jack Street, a sweetshop where his mother was the proprietor. Sidney, aged 14, had already left school and was working as an errand boy for a grocer.
On 7 April 1904 Sedunary joined the Royal Navy, his first engagement being aboard the Pembroke I as an errand boy. Other ships he served aboard included: Northampton, Hercules, Excellent, Prince George with his final ship being the Vernon before his discharge on 25 March 1908. With a record of very good conduct, he stood at 5' 6" and had brown eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion.
On the 1911 census Sidney is listed as a visitor (more likely a boarder) at 18 Oxford Street, Southampton and he is listed as a ship's steward.
Sidney was married in late-1911 in Southampton to Madge Tizzard (b. 5 July 1890 in Southsea, Hampshire).
When Sidney signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 34 Emsworth Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Olympic. As second third class steward he received monthly wages of £5.
He died in the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#178) and was buried at sea, his possessions, including the watch, being returned to his family.
NO. 178. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 25. BROWN - HAIR, LIGHT MOUSTACHE.
CLOTHING - Blue serge suit; black boots and socks; uniform coat and waistcoat, with buttons.
TATTOO ON RIGHT ARM - Anchor and rose.
EFFECTS - Gold ring; knife; nickel watch; pawn ticket; pipe; ship's keys; 20s.; $1.40; 8 francs 50.
NO MARKS ON CLOTHING.
The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Independent (unknown date):
SEDUNARY--April 15, at sea, on board s.s. Titanic, Sidney, the dearly loved husband of Madge Sedunary, aged 25, 34, Emsworth Road, Shirley, Southampton.
and this in the Southern Daily Echo (29/4/1912)
SEDUNARY--April 15, at sea, on board s.s. Titanic, Sidney, the dearly loved husband of Madge Sedunary, aged 25, 34, Emsworth Road, Shirley, Southampton. Lord, all pitying Jesus bless. Grant him thy eternal rest.
Madge Sedunary had been pregnant at the time of the disaster. Her son would be born in November 1912 and was named after his father. They would receive financial aid from the Titanic Relief Fund.
Madge remained a widow until 1921 when she was married, in Reading, to the younger brother of her lost husband, Arthur George Sedunary (b. 1888) and they had a son named Raymond in 1926. Madge was again widowed in 1955. She herself passed away in Reading in 1976 aged 86.
Sidney's son Sidney Jr would later marry Vera May Denton in 1942 and they had one son named Alan. In his possession for many years was his father's watch, recovered from his body, and with its hands frozen at 2.20 am. The watch was later donated to Seacity Museum, Southampton. Sidney Jr died in Reading on 6 February 2010 aged 98.
Samuel Francis Sedunary is remembered on his son's headstone in Reading cemetery and crematorium, Berkshire, England, section BR, plot 17195.
Comment and discuss
-
The following would appear to be the last conclusive evidence of the death of Sidney Sedunary. 178 Male - Estimated age, 25. Hair, brown. Moustache, light. Buried at sea Tattooed right arm; "anchor and rose," wife's name "Madge." Six pawn tickets in possession, and following addresses: Henry Murray, Sailor's home, Southampton, and 45 Fir Grove Road, Southampton; Sidney Sedunary, 47 Fir Grove Road and 98 N'land, Road, Southampton: John Sedunary, 47 Fir Grove Road, Southampton. My daughter and I are trying to trace any family of Sidney who may still be living in Southampton or elsewhere to get more of an insight if possible. As a lawyer there appears to be a pretty major coverup of events on the lower decks and we would like to seek more information. The name appears to be a coincidence but in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia (which co-incidentally is in the very middle of Australia i.e. desert no water and definitely no seamen) in the middle of the local park there...
-
>>As a lawyer there appears to be a pretty major coverup of events on the lower decks ...
-
One obvious example is the fact that very few of the lowest deck crew/passengers were called as witnesses (albeit few were amongst the survivors). A sinking vessel fills from the bottom up. This would give a better picture of the behavior of the vessel and its commanding crew from the time of impact to sinking. Yet the enquiry avoided this issue clearly.
-
Hello John, welcome to Titanica. If Sidney had six pawn tickets in his possession, it sounds as though times were a bit tough. Although, a recently restored and released hoard of films from the 1900s made the comment this week that it was quite common to pawn your best clothes during the week, and get them back when you got paid, in time for Sunday best. It's an unusual name, are you directly related to him? Lord Mersey certainly seemed to have an agenda of some sort as he was fairly brisk when the evidence looked as if it may stray from his remit and, of course, it was the Board of Trade holding an Inquiry into its own procedures, which seems rather odd to us. We've had quite a few Inquiries here recently, though, and I'm not sure at all that things have improved much! If you are a lawyer, I'm sure you'll agree that the interventions and efforts (or lack of) of the various counsel at the British Inquiry are quite as interesting as what the witnesses had to say.
-
>>One obvious example is the fact that very few of the lowest deck crew/passengers were called as witnesses>A sinking vessel fills from the bottom up. This would give a better picture of the behavior of the vessel and its commanding crew from the time of impact to sinking. Yet the enquiry avoided this issue clearly.
-
7th February 2010 - Sad News I am afraid. Mr. Sid Sedunary son of Sidney Sedunary who perished on the RMS Titanic passed away yesterday,6th February 2010 - he was 97 years old. Sid was born on December 4th 1912 and lived a very quiet life. He was a real gentleman and will be missed. Brian J. Ticehurst
-
Sad news indeed, he was always a gentleman with time for all.
-
does anyone know where i can get the book The Titanic. Why? by Sid Sedunary.
-
Hello Yvette, I don't understand your question. Which book are you asking for?
-
Hello Yvette, the book ''Titanic Why'' was a private publication - I think all the copies were sold - I am checking for you but I dont think any copies are available. Jason - The book was written by his son also Sid Sedunary who passed away - see below: Son Sidney was born on 4th December 1912 and died on 6th February 2010 aged 97 years. He was buried in the Reading Crematorium and Henley Road Cemetery, All Hallows Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 5LP. Plot number BR17195 on February 22nd, 2010. Entry from Titanic Memorials Worldwide. Cheers Brian
-
Ah thanks, Brian. Cheers!
-
The Titanic Why? is a scarce 28-page publication, which Brian, typically helpful, brought out for Sid. It is A4 format. It is an assembly of musings about a large number of matters related to the Titanic, not always accurate. There is an extremely limited amount about Sid's father. I was fortunate to accompany Sid on a trip to Halifax NS in 2002, organised by the incomparable Dave O'Leary, in which he traced his father's name on the wall of the local maritime museum and visited the graves of the Titanic dead. It was a very important duty for him, I think. Sid was an utter gent, and fortunate that the lovely Nikki always kept an eye on him. That was a great trip.
-
Portrait of Sid Sedunary, found on an auction website.
-
Picture above found here : .
Open Thread Leave a Reply