Frederick (Fred) appears to have spent most of his childhood with his grandfather and aunts at Hastings.

The 1871 Census recorded:
18 St Andrews Square, Hastings, Sussex:
Thomas Deason, head (of household), married, age: 62 years, occupation: Retired Coast Guard, born: Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Ann Deason, wife, age: 59 years, occupation: none stated, born: Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Elizabeth Deason, daughter, single, age: 31 years, occupation: domestic servant, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Mary Deason, daughter, single, age: 29 years, occupation: dressmaker, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Thomasina Deason, daughter, single, age: 25 years, occupation: dressmaker, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Sarah J Deason, daughter, single, age: 22 years, occupation: dressmaker, born: Mousehole, Cornwall
Rosetta Deason, daughter, single, age: 17 years, occupation: domestic servant, born: Hastings, Sussex
Fred E Deason, grandson, age: 3 years, occupation: none stated, born: Dorking, Surrey

The 1881 Census recorded:
18 St Andrews Square, Hastings, Sussex:
Thomas Deason, head (of household), widower, age: 72 years, occupation: lodging house keeper, born: Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Elizabeth Deason, daughter, single, age: 41 years, occupation: employed at home, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Mary Deason, daughter, single, age: 39 years, occupation: dress maker, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Thomasina Deason, daughter, single, age: 34 years, occupation: employed at home, born: Penberth, Cornwall
Rosetta Deason, daughter, single, age: 27 years, occupation: employed at home, born: Hastings, Sussex
Fred E Deason, grandson, age: 15 years, occupation: ironmongers apprentice, born: Dorking, Surrey