Dr. Alfred Pain: A Promising Canadian Physician Lost on the Titanic

Dr. Alfred Pain was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old Canadian doctor who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Known to his family as “Alf,” he was a promising young physician with a passion for sports, music, and his chosen profession of medicine.

Early Life and Family

Born on August 24, 1888, in Wentworth, Hamilton, Ontario, Alfred was the son of English Methodist parents Albert Pain and Fanny Pain (née Pain). His father, Albert, was a butcher who had immigrated to Canada from Otterhampton, Somerset, around 1868. Alfred had one older brother, Albert, born on August 26, 1884.

The Pain family’s roots in Canada were established when Albert Pain returned to England and married Fanny Pain in Newington, London, on July 31, 1883. The couple then traveled to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario, where they started their family.

Education and Early Career

Alfred’s early education took place in Hamilton, where census records from 1901 describe him as a student. In 1906, at the age of 18, Alfred embarked on his medical studies at the University of Toronto.

During his time at university, Alfred demonstrated excellence not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities. He was described as “a model of Canadian manhood” with diverse interests and talents:

• Sports: An avid athlete, Alfred played cricket and football. He was also a skilled marksman, following in his father’s footsteps, and was a member of the champion rifle team at the University of Toronto (known as Varsity) in 1909.
• Water Sports: Alfred was passionate about aquatic activities, participating in swimming and tilting contests at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. He won numerous prizes in dinghy and other boat races.
• Music: Beyond his medical pursuits, Alfred was musically gifted. He played both the piano and flute with expertise and took great joy in playing music with his family.

Alfred graduated from the University of Toronto in 1910 and obtained his medical qualification (M.B.) the following year. By 1911, he was working as a doctor at Hamilton City Hospital, already putting his medical training into practice.

Journey to England and Titanic Voyage

In September 1911, Dr. Pain traveled to London to further his medical studies. During his time in England, he attempted to secure a position as a ship’s doctor for his return journey to Canada but was unsuccessful in finding such an engagement.

Booking Passage on the Titanic

Unable to work his way back to Canada as a ship’s doctor, Alfred booked passage on the RMS Titanic as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number 244278, cost £10 10s (ten pounds, ten shillings).

Final Days in England

Alfred’s cousin, Mr. A. Pain, accompanied him to Southampton and later described Alfred’s last days in England in a poignant letter to Alfred’s parents:

We left for London Tuesday morning and arrived in town about three in the afternoon. Alf at once started packing, about six in the evening we took his trunks up to the station and left them in the cloakroom. Having nothing to do we went over Waterloo Bridge and down Strand. On the way we decided to have our photos taken and so went into the shop and had them taken. The man said they would be ready in about an hour, so we went and sent the cable off and then came back to see the photos. We were so pleased with them that we had another taken. But we did not wait to see it. The next day we took the train down to the boat and went over it, it was really splendid I wished that I would go with him, he was delighted, at last I said goodbye and left the ship. As the ship sailed out I could see Alf standing on deck waving to me.

Life Aboard the Titanic

During the voyage, Alfred befriended fellow passenger Marion Wright from Yeovil. The two had mutual acquaintances in Somerset, and Alfred had agreed to look after her until she could meet her fiancé, Arthur Woolcott, in New York.

Miss Wright later recounted their interactions aboard the ship:

He seemed so good at getting up games for the young fellows on board. We have several meals together and he told me how much he had enjoyed his stay in England. On the Sunday I asked him to come to the service in second class saloon. He did, and again in the evening came with a number of others to sing hymns in the dining saloon, and himself chose one or two. I believe he especially asked for “Abide With Me, Fast Falls The Eventide.” Afterwards we had supper with one or two other people who had been singing with us, and then retired to our berths.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg, Dr. Pain’s actions demonstrated his caring nature and sense of duty. Miss Wright described his efforts to help her find safety:

About 12:30 p.m., when I had been on deck already for some time, your son came up, properly dressed, and with his life belt on. I could see he was looking for someone, and after a while he found me, and said: “I have been trying to find you’ve some time.” I asked him if he thought there was any great danger, and he assured me had they could not be. We stood for some time on the starboard, watching them load boats. There were hundreds of women on that side, and your son suddenly said: “I think we had better go round the other side; there aren’t so many people there.” We did so, and scarcely had we got round when the call came “any more ladies, this way!” Your son said, “you had better run.” I did so and he followed and put me on the lifeboat. It is such a grief to me that I didn’t say goodbye to him, but I thought as everyone else did, that we would go back to the Titanic before very long.

Tragically, Dr. Alfred Pain did not survive the sinking of the Titanic.

Legacy and Remembrance

After Alfred’s death, an In Memoriam book was produced, detailing his life, career, and the numerous messages of condolence received by his parents. This tribute speaks to the impact he had made in his short life and the potential lost in his untimely death.

Alfred’s parents remained in Hamilton after the tragedy. His father passed away in