Who was Mr Albert Joseph Denbuoy?

Mr Albert Joseph Denbuoy was a 25 (twenty-five) year-old Channel Islander and second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in St Sampson, Guernsey, on April 24, 1886, Denbuoy was a fruit farmer by profession and a keen footballer. He tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, while traveling to Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Early Life and Family

Albert Joseph Denbuoy, affectionately known as Bert, was born into a large family in the Channel Islands. His parents were Alfred Louis Denbuoy, born in 1858 in Jersey to French parents, and Selina Nicolle, born in 1862 in Vale, Guernsey. The couple married around 1881 and had a total of fourteen children, with nine surviving infancy.

Bert’s known siblings included:

• Cecilia (b. 1882)
• Joseph F (b. 1884)
• Maria (b. 1888)
• Selina (b. 1889)
• Florence (b. 1890)
• Alfred (b. 1893)
• Peter James (b. 1897)
• Amy Ella (b. 1898)
• Twins Cecil and Reginald (b. 1903)

Childhood and Early Career

The Denbuoy family’s life can be traced through various census records:

• 1891 Census: The family resided at Rise Lane, St Sampson. Albert’s father worked as a mason, while his mother was a grocer.
• 1901 Census: Still at the same address, Albert’s father had transitioned to fruit growing, with Bert as his assistant.
• 1911 Census: The family had moved to Les Sauvages, St Sampson. Bert, still unmarried, continued working as a fruit farmer.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding and Ticket Details

Bert boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. He was traveling with his friends, brothers Clifford and Ernest Jefferys. Their ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: C.A. 31029
• Cost: £31, 10s (31 pounds, 10 shillings)

Destination and Connections

Denbuoy was en route to Elizabeth, New Jersey, planning to stay at the home of Peter and Lillian Renouf. Lillian was the sister of the Jefferys brothers, creating a close-knit group of travelers.

Acquaintances on Board

During his time on the Titanic, Bert was acquainted with several other passengers:

• Joseph Duquemin (traveling in third class)
• Lawrence Gavey
• Emily Rugg
• Lillian Bentham

What Happened on the Night of the Sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Bert’s actions demonstrated both his awareness of the unfolding tragedy and his concern for others:

1. He was believed to be in the smoking room with Peter Renouf and the Jefferys brothers when the Titanic collided with the iceberg.
2. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Bert went to the cabin shared by Emily Rugg and Lillian Bentham to alert them of the danger.
3. He then accompanied Rugg and Bentham to the boat deck, ensuring their safety.

Despite his efforts to help others, Albert Joseph Denbuoy did not survive the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Although Albert Denbuoy’s life was cut tragically short, his memory lives on:

• He is remembered on the family headstone in St Sampson’s churchyard, St Sampson, Bailiwick of Guernsey.
• His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster.

Albert Joseph Denbuoy’s tale is one of a young man from the Channel Islands whose journey to a new life in America was abruptly ended by one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. His actions on that fateful night, alerting and assisting fellow passengers, speak to his character and the sense of camaraderie among the Titanic’s passengers in their final hours.