Miss Amelia Mary “Mildred” Brown: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Who was Amelia Mary Brown?

Miss Amelia Mary “Mildred” Brown was an 18-year-old (eighteen-year-old) English cook who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on August 18, 1893, in Kensington, London, she was employed by the wealthy Allison family of Montréal and boarded the Titanic as a second-class passenger. Her survival story and subsequent life offer a unique glimpse into the experiences of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

Amelia was born into a working-class family in London. Her parents were:

Father: Frank Brown (born 1862 in Crawley, Hampshire)
Mother: Esther Tilbury (born June 8, 1860, in Burnham, Buckinghamshire)

The couple married on February 7, 1892, in Buckinghamshire. Amelia had one younger sibling:

Brother: Sydney (born June 20, 1900)

Pre-Titanic Years

In the 1901 census, the Brown family was recorded living at 38 Osborne Terrace in Lambeth. Interestingly, Amelia does not appear with her family in the 1911 census, when they were residing at 29 Hanover Gardens, Kennington, London. Her whereabouts during this period remain a mystery, adding an intriguing element to her pre-Titanic life.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding and Accommodations

Amelia boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a second-class passenger. Her ticket details were as follows:

Ticket number: 248733
Cost: £13
Cabin: F33

She shared her cabin with three other English women:

Amelia Lemore
Elizabeth Nye
Selina Cook

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg, Amelia’s actions were notable:

She was initially reluctant to leave her bed despite warnings from her roommates and George Swane, the Allison family’s chauffeur.
Selina Cook eventually convinced her to rise, reminding her that she might be the last person on the entire ship still in bed.

Rescue and Survival

Amelia was rescued in lifeboat 11. Her survival story is vividly captured in a letter she wrote to her mother from aboard the Carpathia, the ship that rescued Titanic survivors. In this letter, postmarked April 19, 1912, from Grand Central Station, New York, Amelia recounts:

“At last I have made myself sit down to write. I don’t know how the time has gone since the wreck But I can’t help thinking how lucky I was to be amongst the rescued. There were 2000 people about that on board and only about 700 were rescued.”

She describes the harrowing experience of the sinking:

“Then came the lowering of the boats I shut my eyes in hopes I should wake up and find it a dream. Then came the awful suspense of waiting till a vessel happened to pass our way… Never shall I forget it as long as I live. I don’t let myself think of it. We were on the water from 12 till 6 in this small boat.”

Post-Titanic Life

Immediate Aftermath

Upon arriving in New York aboard the Carpathia, Amelia:

Gave her destination address as 665 Bellmont Avenue, Montréal
Was described as standing 5'4" with dark hair and dark eyes
Was awarded $100 by the Red Cross
Filed an insurance claim for loss of property totaling $283.61

Return to England and Marriage

While Amelia’s movements in the years immediately following the Titanic disaster are unclear, she eventually returned to Britain. On September 12, 1931, she married James Edward Barrow, a World War I veteran and paper merchants director. The couple:

Had no children
Initially settled in Epsom
Later moved to 98 Lynwood Drive, Sutton, Surrey

Later Years and Legacy

Amelia led a quiet, middle-class life after her marriage. Notably:

She cared for her widowed and incapacitated mother until the latter’s death on March 17, 1943
Was widowed when James Barrow died on July 30, 1965
Passed away on June 30, 1976, at the age of 82 (eighty-two)
Was buried with her husband in Cheam Common, St Philips Church (Row 11) on July 7, 1976
Left an estate worth £55,646

A Silent Survivor

Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of Amelia’s life is her apparent silence regarding her Titanic experience. Despite the growing interest in Titanic survivors’ stories in later years, there are no known interviews or public recollections from Amelia about her time on the ill-fated ship. This silence adds a layer of mystery to her story, leaving us to wonder about the long-term impact of that fateful night on her life.

Amelia Mary “Mildred” Brown’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse experiences of Titanic survivors. From her initial reluctance to leave her bed on that fateful night to her quiet life in later years, Amelia’s journey offers a unique perspective on one of history’s most captivating maritime disasters.