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Sydney Smith Haldimand “Ocean Spectre” Dickens
Cenotaph

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Sydney Smith Haldimand “Ocean Spectre” Dickens

Birth
Death
2 May 1872 (aged 25)
At Sea
Cenotaph
Highgate, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England Add to Map
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The inscription reads : "Lieutenant Sydney Smith Haddington, fifth son of Charles and Catherine Dickens. Born 18th. April 1847, died and was buried at sea 2nd. May 1872." Sydney was the seventh child (but fifth son) and was born at Chester Place, near Regent's Park in London. He was the smallest of all the nine surviving children ; even as an adult, he was only just over five feet tall. His childhood nickname, "Ocean Spectre," came, as Dickens's biographer John Forster wrote, "from a strange little weird yet most attractive look in his large wondering eyes." Perhaps appropriately, he joined the Royal Navy and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Unfortunately, he survived his father by less than two years. He was invalided from his ship, the Topaze, and was on board the P&O steamer Malta, when he died from a sharp attack of bronchitis. The grave in Highgate bears an inscription to his brother Walter, who died in Calcutta. Their sister, Dora, and their mother, Catherine are buried therein.
The inscription reads : "Lieutenant Sydney Smith Haddington, fifth son of Charles and Catherine Dickens. Born 18th. April 1847, died and was buried at sea 2nd. May 1872." Sydney was the seventh child (but fifth son) and was born at Chester Place, near Regent's Park in London. He was the smallest of all the nine surviving children ; even as an adult, he was only just over five feet tall. His childhood nickname, "Ocean Spectre," came, as Dickens's biographer John Forster wrote, "from a strange little weird yet most attractive look in his large wondering eyes." Perhaps appropriately, he joined the Royal Navy and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Unfortunately, he survived his father by less than two years. He was invalided from his ship, the Topaze, and was on board the P&O steamer Malta, when he died from a sharp attack of bronchitis. The grave in Highgate bears an inscription to his brother Walter, who died in Calcutta. Their sister, Dora, and their mother, Catherine are buried therein.

Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine

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