Christopher (Fred) Frederick Dittmer 
Birth Notes
Recorded as aged 36 on 9-Aug-1917
DITTMER, CHRISTOPH FRIDERICK HEUER
GRO Reference: 1881 M Quarter in LIVERPOOL
Volume 08B Page 28
Death Notes
Frederick was an Assistant Steward in the merchant marine and served on SS Verdi (Lamport and Holt Line), the vessel plied the Liverpool to New York route, she was torpedoed by U53 in the Atlantic on 22 Aug 1917- the vessel was built in 1907, 7,120 tons deadweight, and sank 115 miles North West by North of Eagle Island, 6 crewmen were lost, she was carrying general cargo when sunk, Christopher Frederick is included in the roll of honour in Liverpool Cathedral and there is a plaque on the Merchant Marine Memorial on Tower Hill.
The Captain of U53 was Hans Rose one of the top 10 U boat aces of WW1, he was responsible for over 200,000 tons of Allied shipping losses during WW1, his boat was surrendered to the French on 11 Nov 1918. He went on to become one of the main U boat trainers in WW2.
Family stories tell that Frederick was killed trying to save another sailor after being torpedoed. Just 13 days earlier he had arrived in New York from Buneos Aires, which was recorded and Indexed.
CWGC Reference:
Name: DITTMER, CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK
Initials: C F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Assistant Steward
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: S.S. "Verdi" (Liverpool)
Age: 36
Date of Death: 22/08/1917
Additional information: Son of Cathaine Maria Margaret Dittmer, and the late John Henry Christopher Dittmer; husband of the late Maud Seymour Dittmer. Born at Liverpool.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
He is listed on his parents headstone
General Notes
Born Christopher (or Christoph) Frederick, and known as Fred.
In 1891, Living at 45 Ascot Street, (Scotland ward), Liverpool (aged 3 months).
In 1901, Living at 63 Lambeth Road, Kirkdale. Son Will was baptised in Kirkdale in 1905.
Fred was living in Asser Road, West Derby in 1900's and was an Assistant Steward on the Verdi in 1917. When visiting NY, he was recorded as British (Race and Nationality) from Liverpool and 5'4" tall and 140 lb in 1917.
In 1905, Fred married Maul Seymour Lindop.
In 1911 Fred was married, an assistant in a shop selling tea and butter and living at 1 Albany Road, Prescot.
8 Aug 1913, Fred's wife Maud died. Fred was recorded as Frederick George Dittmer (i.e. not Crhistopher Frederick), a Grocer's Manager of 1 Albany Road, Prescot. However, when his son George Henry died in July, he was correctly named Frederick Dittmer.
In 1914-15, Frank Dittmer, 33, born Liverpool was a crew member, "Assistant Steward", on the Westmeath. Later, aged 34 he was Assistant Steward on the Canada.
9 Aug 1917, Frederick (36) as recorded arriving at New York from Buenos Aires on the Verdi.
In 1818, 1819, 1921, Christopher and (mother or wife?) Margaret "Dittmar" are listed on the Liverpool Electoral Registers at 42 Alton Road, together with (brother) Charles Dittmar.
Buried (or memorial) in a war grave 22 Aug 1917:
DITTMER, CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK (36), Assistant Steward, SS Verdi, Mercantile Marine, died 22/08/1917, Son of Cathaine Maria Margaret Dittmer, and the late John Henry Christopher Dittmer; husband of the late Maud Seymour Dittmer. Born at Liverpool, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
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Occupation Details
Occupation Notes
A Grocer's Manager in 1913 when wife and son died.Occupation Notes
Assistant manager in 1911, and a Grocer's Manager in 1913 when wife and son died.Occupation Notes
In 1914-15, Frank Dittmer, 33, born Liverpool was a crew member, "Assistant Steward", on the Westmeath. Later, aged 34 he was Assistant Steward on the Canada.Occupation Notes
Frederick (36) as recorded arriving at New York from Buenos Aires on 9 Aug 1917 on the Verdi. Buried (or memorial) in a war grave 22 Aug.
From 1901 to about 1911 Fred's occupation was Grocers Assistant in Liverpool.4From about 1911 to 1913 his occupation was Grocer's Manager in Prescot.5From 1914 to 1915 his occupation was Assistant Steward for Westmeath & SS Canada, in Liverpool.6From before 1916 his occupation was Assistant Steward contractor in transportation for SS Verdie, in Liverpool. He died on August 22nd, 1917 while still employed there.7
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Whereabouts
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Fred lived at 45 Ascot Street from 1891.8
Occupancy/Contact Notes
Living at 45 Ascot Street, (Scotland ward), Liverpool in 1891.
He lived at 63 Lambeth Road from 1901.4Occupancy/Contact Notes
Home of some of the Lancashire Ditmers in 1901
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Wife's Pictures
Fred and Maud were married in a civil ceremony in June 1905 in West Derby.9
Marriage/Union Notes
Marriages Jun 1905 (>99%)
DITTMER Frederick C W. Derby 8b 928
Lindop Maud Seymour W.Derby 8b 928
DITTMER Frederick C LINDOP Maud S West Derby,
Register Office or Registrar Attended
Liverpool REG_WD/221/97
Family Notes
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Children
Birth Notes
Births Sep 1905 (>99%)
Dittmer Frederick William W. Derby 8b 413
Actual date on death record
DITTMER, FREDERICK WILLIAM LINDOP
GRO Reference: 1905 S Quarter in WEST DERBY
Volume 08B Page 413
Lancashire BMD had same birth in 1905:
DITTMER Frederick W Kirkdale Liverpool KIRK/142/60
Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Confirmations, 1887-1921
Name: Frederick Wm Dittmer
Birth Date: abt 1906
Age: 15
Confirmation Date: 7 Mar 1921
Parish: Stanley St Anne
Death Notes
Name: Frederick William Dittmer
Death Age: 83
Birth Date: 27 Jun 1905
Registration Date: Jun 1988
Registration District: Liverpool, Merseyside
Volume: 36
Page: 973Birth Notes
Aged 2 when died in July 1913
Births Sep 1911 (>99%)
DITTMER George H
Mother: Lindop
Prescot, Lancashire 8b 1426
DITTMER, GEORGE HENRY LINDOP
GRO Reference: 1911 S Quarter in PRESCOT
Volume 08B Page 1426
Death Notes
Name: George H Ditmer
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1911
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1913
Age at Death: 2
Registration district: Prescot, Lancashire
Volume: 8b
Page: 829
Frederick (Will) William Dittmer
Frederick, known as Will, was born on June 27th, 1905 in Kirkdale and his confirmation took place on March 7th, 1921 at St. Ann (Liverpool).10
George Henry Dittmer
George was born in July 1911 in Prescot.10
1 1881 UK Census
2 Headstone - Chris & Margaret Dittmer
3 Individual - Tony Beard
4 1901 UK Census
5 Certificate - Death
6 National Maritime Museum
7 Ellis Island Foundation
8 1891 UK Census
9 BMD-Lancashire
10 GRO Reference
2 Headstone - Chris & Margaret Dittmer
3 Individual - Tony Beard
4 1901 UK Census
5 Certificate - Death
6 National Maritime Museum
7 Ellis Island Foundation
8 1891 UK Census
9 BMD-Lancashire
10 GRO Reference
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