Who was Mr Andrew Emslie Johnston?

Mr Andrew Emslie Johnston was a 35 (thirty-five) year old Scottish plumber who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Johnston was a third-class passenger traveling with his family and friends to start a new life in America when disaster struck.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Emslie Johnston was born on May 14, 1876, in Bodham, New Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was one of seven children born to William Johnston, a meal miller, and Catherine Emslie. His siblings included:

• William (b. 1869)
• William Charles (b. 1871)
• Catherine (b. 1874)
• Helen (b. 1879)
• James Tytler (b. 1881)
• Peter (b. 1883)

Education and Career

Where did Andrew Johnston receive his education?

Andrew attended the local New Machar school alongside his siblings. After completing his education, he embarked on a career in plumbing.

What was Andrew Johnston’s profession?

Following his schooling, Andrew was apprenticed as a plumber. Through hard work and dedication, he eventually became a master plumber, showcasing his skill and expertise in the trade.

Marriage and Family Life

On December 24, 1902, Andrew married Elizabeth “Eliza” Watson in the United Free Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Glasgow. Eliza, born in 1876, hailed from Bracadale on the Isle of Skye and worked as a table maid before their marriage.

The couple settled in Croydon, Surrey, England, where they started their family. They had two children:

1. William Andrew (b. 1903)
2. Catherine Nellie (b. 1905)

In 1911, the Johnston family was recorded living at 21 Luna Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon.

The Fateful Journey

What led the Johnston family to board the Titanic?

The decision to emigrate to America was influenced by Eliza’s niece, Frances, who was already working as a domestic servant in the United States. Impressed by the tales of a better life, both the Johnston family and Eliza’s sister’s family, the Fords, decided to make the journey.

How did the Johnstons end up on the Titanic?

The family’s path to the Titanic was not straightforward:

1. They initially planned to sail in October 1911 but postponed to wait for the Fords.
2. Their passage was originally booked on the Philadelphia.
3. A coal strike forced another postponement.
4. Finally, they booked passage on the Titanic, boarding at Southampton as third-class passengers.

What were the details of their Titanic journey?

• Ticket Number: W./C. 6607
• Ticket Price: £23, 9s
• Class: 3rd Class
• Point of Embarkation: Southampton

The Tragedy

Sadly, Andrew Emslie Johnston, along with his entire party of ten, including his wife, children, and extended family members, perished in the sinking of the Titanic. Their [bodies]https://titanicuniverse.com/ship/wreck/bodies), if recovered, were never identified, adding to the heartbreak of this terrible tragedy.

Legacy

While Andrew Johnston’s life was cut short, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. It highlights the dreams and aspirations of those seeking a better life in America, and the risks they were willing to take to achieve them.

The tale of the Johnston family, intertwined with that of the Fords and their friend Alice Harknett, illustrates the close-knit nature of many passenger groups on the Titanic, and the devastating impact the sinking had on entire families and communities.