George Prescot Ditchfield

George Prescot Ditchfield was a grocer in Redan, <1869-1902.

History
George Prescot Ditchfield was on 20 March 1835 in Warrington, Lancashire, the son of John Ditchfield and Hannah May Priestman.

George ran a grocery store on the corner of Drummond and Skipton streets.

George was married Jane White in Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, in 1864. Their son, John Prescott Ditchfield was born on 8 April 1869: "DITCHFIELD—On the 8th April, at Skipton street, Ballarat, the wife of Mr Ditchfield, of a son."

In October 1879, Ditchfield was a potential witness for an alleged rape on the publican of the Redan Club Hotel. Eugenie Ansaldi claimed she had been raped by a customer at the hotel in the early morning of 9 October 1879. She said that she had spoken about it to Ditchfield, and shown him the marks on her body. He had advised her to report it to the police. However Constable Timothy Riordan "...spoke to Mr Ditchfield, who stated that Mrs Ansaldi had not mentioned anything to him of the outrage committed upon her; consequently he had not brought him as a witness. Constable Boyle deposed that he first heard of the affair from Mr Ditchfield shortly after two o'clock."

His daughter, Emily, died on 23 May 1896 "DITCHFIELD.—On the 23rd May, at the residence of her parents, 168 Drummond street south, Emily, the beloved daughter of George and Jane Ditchfield. Deeply regretted." "The funeral of the late Miss Emily Ditchfield, daughter of Mr G. Ditchfield, grocer, of Drummond street, took place yesterday, and was largely attended. The remains were interred in the Ballarat Old Cemetery. Members of the Girls’ Friendly Society of All Saints’ marched in front of the hearse. A beautiful collection of floral tributes were sent by sympathising friends. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. Mobberly. A. Forrester, J. Williams, R. Weldon, W. Curnow, C. Olney, J. Harris, and E. Sturley, and the coffin bearers Messrs W. and T. Thursfield, C. Fitzgerald, and W. Redden. The Rev. G. Netherway conducted very impressive services at the house and grave. Messrs Jordan and Tippett conducted the funeral arrangements."

George died on 2 December 1902, and left his estate to his wife and two sons. "DITCHFIELD—The friends of the late Mr George Ditchfield, grocer, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery. The funeral cortege is appointed to leave his late residence, Drummond street south, This Day (Saturday), at 11 o'clock. No flowers, by request. JORDAN and TIPPETT, Undertakers, Armstrong street south, near City Hall, 23 Eyre street, and 14 Grant street. Telephone 79."

After his death, his son John took over the grocery business.