Who was Alexander Milne Cairns?

Alexander Milne Cairns was a 28 (twenty-eight) year-old Scottish servant who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Kinfauns, Perthshire, Scotland, Cairns was employed by the wealthy Carter family and traveled as a first-class passenger on the ill-fated ship’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family

Alexander Milne Cairns was born on April 19, 1883, in Kinfauns, Perthshire, Scotland. He was the son of William James Cairns, an agricultural laborer born in 1843, and Margaret Milne, born in 1840. Both of his parents were natives of Forfarshire and had married on March 19, 1864, in Kirriemuir.

A Large Family

Alexander came from a sizeable family, being one of twelve children:

John (1864-1894)
Betsy Findlay (b. 1866)
Andrew (1868-1934)
James Milne (1870-1935)
Margaret Shrubsole (1872-1920, later Marks)
William (1874-1881)
Jessie McRae (1876-1952)
Jane (1878-1965)
Joan (1879-1898)
David Murray (1881-1942)
Alexander Milne (1883-1912)
Charlotte Carolina Shrubshole (1886-1960)

Interestingly, Alexander’s brother Andrew was born on April 15, 1868 – exactly 44 years before the Titanic sinking.

Early Career and Emigration

Childhood and Youth

In Alexander’s early years, his father worked as a railway laborer. The 1881 census shows the family living at Old Toll House in Rescobie, Forfarshire. By 1891, they had moved to Cottar House in Littleton, Longforgan, Perthshire. The 1901 census records the family residing at Seggieden Porter Lodge in Kinfauns, with Alexander’s father now working as an estate laborer. Curiously, Alexander’s whereabouts at this time are unknown, as he was not present with his family.

Move to America

Around 1905, Alexander and his brothers James and William emigrated to the United States. They settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they found work as lace weavers. The 1910 census lists them as boarders at 2918 Sixth Street in Philadelphia.

Life as a Servant

At some point after arriving in America, Alexander Cairns entered the employ of William Ernest Carter, a wealthy American businessman. The exact date when Cairns began working for the Carter family is not known. However, this employment would ultimately lead to his presence on the Titanic.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ship

Alexander Cairns boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a first-class passenger. He was traveling as part of the Carter family entourage, which included:

William Ernest Carter
Lucile Carter (William’s wife)
Their children
Augusta Serreplaà (the Carters’ French maid)

Ticket and Accommodation

Cairns and Augusta Serreplaà shared ticket number 113798, which cost £31 (equivalent to approximately £3,700 or $4,600 in 2023). During the voyage, Alexander occupied cabin B-86 on the Titanic.

The Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. As a male servant in first class, Alexander Cairns’ chances of survival were slim. The “women and children first” protocol, coupled with the shortage of lifeboats, meant that many men, regardless of class, were unable to secure a place in a lifeboat.

Legacy and Remembrance

Alexander Milne Cairns lost his life in the Titanic disaster at the age of 28 (twenty-eight). His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Family Memorial

Alexander is commemorated on the family grave in Kinfauns, Scotland. The inscription reads:

THEIR BROTHER ALEXANDER BORN AT KINFAUNS, 19TH APRIL 1883 LOST WITH “TITANIC,” 15TH APRIL 1912

Titanic Relief Fund

Following the disaster, Alexander’s parents benefited from the Titanic Relief Fund, which was established to provide financial assistance to the families of those lost in the sinking.

Family After the Tragedy

The loss of Alexander deeply affected his family. His mother passed away in 1920, followed by his father in 1926. Several of Alexander’s siblings later emigrated and settled in Australia. His brother Andrew died in Sydney in 1934, while his brother James passed away in Queensland in 1935.

Alexander Milne Cairns’ story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster, including those of the often-overlooked servants and staff who perished alongside their wealthy employers. His tale is but one of many that illustrate the far-reaching impact of this historic tragedy on families across the globe.