History of a Street Precinct
Biography - Hipper Family
Hipper, Sidney John
269 Bridge Street 1895 
by Valerie Power
My great grandfather, Sydney John Hipper was born at 8 Bright Street, Bromley, District of Poplar, Middlesex, England on 6th January 1870 to parents Thomas William HIPPER and Annie REDSTALL. Thomas' occupation was listed as a seaman, but over the years he was variously listed as being a labourer, a fishmonger and a hawker. A second son, Thomas Redstall HIPPER was born on 6th January 1872 when the family were living at 14 Arthur Street Bromley. A daughter Annie Minchin (known as Minnie) was born on 19th June 1874. The family now lived at 2 Arthur Street Bromley where Thomas Redstall HIPPER died of Scarlatina on 14th September 1874.
The 1881 census sees the family living at 10 Norfolk Street Poplar, London Middlesex, England: -
In 1883 Sidney's mother was working as a charwoman to keep the family and on 7th June 1883 Sidney's father died of Bronchitis at the "Sick Asylum.” On 21st June 1884 aged 14 years, Sidney joined the Arethusa.
The Arethusa was a training ship run by the Shaftesbury Homes for "Homeless and Destitute Boys of London.” When Sidney joined the training ship his address was 8 Bromley Place, Bromley. The logbook entry for Sidney states that he had attended the Brunswick Road Board School for one year, he could read, write and cipher well, did not know the Ten Commandments but did know the Lord's Prayer. Although his mother was alive, Sidney's nearest relative was listed as his aunt, E. Hipper of 14 Robin Hood Lane, Poplar. He stated that he had previously been employed for ten months as a forge boy at Green's Shipbuilding Yard, then at a greengrocer for nine months. Sidney's aunt signed for him as "my mother ill-used me and my aunt took me in.”
During the two years that Sidney was on board the Arethusa he grew 4 inches in height, 81/2 inches around his chest and gained 42 pounds in weight. He was discharged from the Arethusa 26th May 1886 aged 16 years and set sail on 1st June 1886 on the Nimbus, under the command of Captain Smith, for New York as a ship's boy.
Transcript of discharge paper
Conduct V.G.
TRAINING SHIPS ARETHUSA AND CHICHESTER Lying off Greenhithe
This is to certify that Sydney John Hipper (32) who has served in ships under my command from the 21st June 1884 to the date hereof knows how to reef and is able to furl small sails, he can heave the lead and give soundings, make all bends, knots and splices, knows the keys according to the commercial code, can swim, pull a boat, keep his clothes in repair, read, write and do common arithmetic.
1st Class Petty Officer
3 Good Conduct Badges
Obtained the Fleming Prize (Knife and Desk)
Given under my hand on board the Arethusa at Greenhithe this 26th day of May 1886.
L.P. Willan Capt.
Description
Height 5' 1 1/2"
Hair - Brown
Eyes - Hazel
Marks - Tattoo on middle finger of left hand
According to family tales, Sidney jumped ship in Melbourne in 1887, which I have yet to prove. He married Matilda Catherine Murray at St Andrew's church Clifton Hill on 25th December 1891. Sidney and Matilda went on to have six children and, I am sure, a much happier life than he had had in England. Both Sidney and Matilda died in 1947, he in June and she in November.
Picture: Sidney John Hipper as a midshipman on the training ship Arethusa, taken in 1885 (Courtesy Valerie Power)
by Valerie Power
My great grandfather, Sydney John Hipper was born at 8 Bright Street, Bromley, District of Poplar, Middlesex, England on 6th January 1870 to parents Thomas William HIPPER and Annie REDSTALL. Thomas' occupation was listed as a seaman, but over the years he was variously listed as being a labourer, a fishmonger and a hawker. A second son, Thomas Redstall HIPPER was born on 6th January 1872 when the family were living at 14 Arthur Street Bromley. A daughter Annie Minchin (known as Minnie) was born on 19th June 1874. The family now lived at 2 Arthur Street Bromley where Thomas Redstall HIPPER died of Scarlatina on 14th September 1874.
The 1881 census sees the family living at 10 Norfolk Street Poplar, London Middlesex, England: -
| Dwelling: | 10 Norfolk St | ||
| Census Place: | Poplar, London, Middlesex, England | ||
| Source: |
FHL Film 1341114 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0510 Folio 15
Page 23 |
||
| Age | Sex | Birthplace | |
| Thomas HIPPER | 44 | M | Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk, England |
| Rel: Head | |||
| Occ: Labourer | |||
| Annie HIPPER | 39 | F | Chester, Hampshire, England |
| Rel: Wife | |||
| Sidney J. HIPPER | 11 | M | Bromley, Middlesex, England |
| Rel: Son | |||
| Occ: Scholar | |||
| Annie M. HIPPER | 6 | M | Bromley, Middlesex, England |
| Rel: Daughter | |||
| Occ: Scholar | |||
In 1883 Sidney's mother was working as a charwoman to keep the family and on 7th June 1883 Sidney's father died of Bronchitis at the "Sick Asylum.” On 21st June 1884 aged 14 years, Sidney joined the Arethusa.
The Arethusa was a training ship run by the Shaftesbury Homes for "Homeless and Destitute Boys of London.” When Sidney joined the training ship his address was 8 Bromley Place, Bromley. The logbook entry for Sidney states that he had attended the Brunswick Road Board School for one year, he could read, write and cipher well, did not know the Ten Commandments but did know the Lord's Prayer. Although his mother was alive, Sidney's nearest relative was listed as his aunt, E. Hipper of 14 Robin Hood Lane, Poplar. He stated that he had previously been employed for ten months as a forge boy at Green's Shipbuilding Yard, then at a greengrocer for nine months. Sidney's aunt signed for him as "my mother ill-used me and my aunt took me in.”
During the two years that Sidney was on board the Arethusa he grew 4 inches in height, 81/2 inches around his chest and gained 42 pounds in weight. He was discharged from the Arethusa 26th May 1886 aged 16 years and set sail on 1st June 1886 on the Nimbus, under the command of Captain Smith, for New York as a ship's boy.
Transcript of discharge paper
Conduct V.G.
TRAINING SHIPS ARETHUSA AND CHICHESTER Lying off Greenhithe
This is to certify that Sydney John Hipper (32) who has served in ships under my command from the 21st June 1884 to the date hereof knows how to reef and is able to furl small sails, he can heave the lead and give soundings, make all bends, knots and splices, knows the keys according to the commercial code, can swim, pull a boat, keep his clothes in repair, read, write and do common arithmetic.
1st Class Petty Officer
3 Good Conduct Badges
Obtained the Fleming Prize (Knife and Desk)
Given under my hand on board the Arethusa at Greenhithe this 26th day of May 1886.
L.P. Willan Capt.
Description
Height 5' 1 1/2"
Hair - Brown
Eyes - Hazel
Marks - Tattoo on middle finger of left hand
According to family tales, Sidney jumped ship in Melbourne in 1887, which I have yet to prove. He married Matilda Catherine Murray at St Andrew's church Clifton Hill on 25th December 1891. Sidney and Matilda went on to have six children and, I am sure, a much happier life than he had had in England. Both Sidney and Matilda died in 1947, he in June and she in November.
© Valerie Power
Picture: Sidney John Hipper as a midshipman on the training ship Arethusa, taken in 1885 (Courtesy Valerie Power)