J. P. Ditchfield

John Prescott Ditchfield was a grocer in Redan, <1900-1931>.

History
John Prescott Ditchfield was born Redan, on 8 April 1869, the son of George Prescot Ditchfield and Jane White : "DITCHFIELD—On the 8th April, at Skipton street, Ballarat, the wife of Mr Ditchfield, of a son." His parents ran a grocery store on the corner of Drummond and Darling Streets.

His brother, Charles Henry Ditchfield, was the father of Charles Ditchfield who was also a grocer in Redan with a store on the corner of Windermere Street and La Trobe Street.

In July 1903 J. P. Ditchfield was included in a list of Ballarat grocers selling the "famous Chamberlain remedies."

In May 1916 he was a pall bearer at the funeral of Senior Constable Richard Blanchfield, of the Redan Police Station.

In March 1917 he was a pall bearer at the funeral of Emma Amelia Remfry.

In August 1918 he was a pall bearer at the funeral of Mrs. Isabella Laird.

In January 1919 he was a pall bearer at the funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth F. Andrew (nee Brown, daughter of a baker at Piggoreet). The funeral was held at the home of her brother-in-law, Mr. W. G. Williams, of Darling Street.

In February 1931 he was made a Justice of the Peace: "The Crown Law department has informed Mr. W. J. McAdam, M.L.A., of the appointment of Mr. J. P. Ditchfield, Drummond-street, as a justice of the peace."

In September 1939 he was elected as one of the vice-presidents of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.

Ditchfield died on 10 January 1945 at the St. John of God Hospital in Drummond Street: "DITCHFIELD. –On January 10, at private hospital, Ballarat. John Prescott Ditchfield, of 622 Drummond street south, Ballarat, beloved son of the late George and Jane Ditchfield, and loving brother of Emily (deceased) and Charles (deceased), aged 77 years." "DITCHFIELD. –The Funeral of the late JOHN PRESCOTT DITCHFIELD will leave 622 Drummond street south, Ballarat, THIS DAY (Thursday), at 2.30 p.m., for the Ballarat Old Cemetery. F. W. BARNES & SON, Ballarat. Phone 19." "CLAIMS in respect of the estate of JOHN PRESCOTT DITCHFIELD, late of 622 Drummond street south, Ballarat, grocer, deceased, who died on 10th January, 1945, are to SEND PARTICULARS of their claims to THE BALLARAT TRUSTEES. EXECUTORS, & AGENCY COMPANY LIMITED and Annie Victoria Jane Ditchfield at the company's address, 101 Lydiard street north, Ballarat, by the 6th day of July, 1945. after which date they will distribute the assets having regard only to the claims of which they then have notice. BAIRD & BAIRD, solicitors, Ballarat."