[1] An endearing child, nicknamed by his father "The Ocean Spectre" and "The Admiral,” Sydney Dickens was born at 3 Chester Place[2] and baptized at the church of St. Mary in Marylebone in London on 24 June 1847, his godfathers being William Haldimand of Lausanne, and Henry Porter Smith (1797–1880), an actuary for the Eagle Life Assurance Company.

[4] When Sydney was aged 3, and staying with the family at Broadstairs, his father asked him if he would walk to the railway station to meet John Forster, who was coming for a visit.

[5] Aged 13 he was sent to North Grove House in Southsea, intending to train as a naval officer, a move designed by his father to encourage him to become self-sufficient in life.

[7] On 19 May 1864 his career suffered a setback when he was docked a year's seniority "for misconduct"; however, following a period of satisfactory conduct, 8 months of that time was restored to him on 9 November 1866.

[10] Indeed, at one stage Sydney became so reckless with money that his father refused to allow him into the house, and in later years his sister, Mamie Dickens, said she thought of him with "contempt" and even "horror".