Edward Downes after his health declined following a hip replacement. Lady Downes was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer that metastasised to her liver, and given only weeks to live. Lady Downes wrote a letter to family explaining that she had decided against treatment and that: Sir Edward, aged 85, and Lady Downes, aged 74, ended their lives by assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic in Zürich, Switzerland, on 10 July 2009. Although Joan did not want the children present, Dignitas encouraged it and "Ted and Joanie" were reported to be pleased when the time came. Their children issued a statement speaking of
Sir Edward Hughes (1784 EIC ship) and was carrying 180 slaves. The Royal Navy purchased "Sir Edward Hughes" in May 1804 in India for £35,000. However, the notice of her capturing "Jeune Clementine" in July still refers to "Sir Edward Hughes" as belonging to the EIC. Furthermore, some records state that the EIC presented her to the Navy in 1805. The Royal Navy commissioned "Sir Edward Hughes" in 1805 under the command of Commander Hood Christian. Immediately Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station, had her escorting convoys. In 1806 Captain Gilbert Heathcote replaced Christian. On 6 June 1806 "Sir Edward Hughes" escorted