Samuel Francis Sedunary

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.

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.