Arthur Rice

Who was Master Arthur Rice?

Master Arthur Rice was a 4 (four) year-old Canadian boy who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born into a family with an English father and Irish mother, Arthur’s short life was marked by international travel and family tragedy before his untimely death aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Family

Birth and Parentage

Master Arthur Rice was born on August 18, 1907, at 455 St Clair Street in Toronto, Ontario. He was baptized on February 23, 1908. Arthur’s parents were:

Father: William Rice (born 1876) - An English man from Surrey and a British soldier
Mother: Margaret Norton (born 1872) - An Irish woman from Athlone who worked as a factory worker

William and Margaret met in Ireland during William’s military posting and married on June 18, 1898.

Siblings and Family Tragedy

Arthur was one of six sons born to William and Margaret Rice:

William (1898-1898)
Albert (born 1902)
George (born 1903)
Eric (born 1905)
Arthur (born 1907)
Francis (born 1909)

Tragically, the eldest brother William died at less than two months old, choking on his pacifier. This set a somber tone for the family’s future hardships.

A Life of Movement

How did the Rice family’s frequent relocations shape Arthur’s early years?

The Rice family’s life was characterized by frequent moves across countries and continents:

Ireland to England: The family briefly lived in London after William and Margaret’s marriage.
England to Canada: They migrated to Canada, first settling in Montréal, then moving to Ontario where Arthur was born.
Canada to USA: In January 1909, when Arthur was just 1 (one) year old, the family crossed into the United States, settling in Spokane, Washington.
USA to Ireland: Following a family tragedy, they returned to Ireland, living in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

These moves exposed young Arthur to various cultures and environments in his short life.

Family Tragedy in Spokane

While living in Hillyard, Spokane, the Rice family faced a devastating loss. On January 24, 1910, Arthur’s father William, who worked as a labourer on Great Northern tracks, was crushed by an engine. He later died at the Sacred Heart Hospital, leaving Margaret a widow with five young sons to care for.

Return to Ireland and Plans for a New Start

After William’s death, the 1910 US census shows Arthur, his mother, and siblings living at 435 Sheridan Street, Hillyard, Spokane. However, the family soon returned to Ireland, appearing in the 1911 census at Castle Street in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

The stay in Ireland was likely temporary, as the family made plans to return to Spokane. This decision was possibly influenced by others from their locality who were also planning to cross the Atlantic aboard the Titanic.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Ticket and Boarding Details

Ticket Number: 382652
Ticket Cost: £29, 2s, 6d
Class: 3rd Class
Port of Embarkation: Queenstown

Travel Companions

The Rice family was not alone in their journey. Other passengers from the Athlone area included:

Eugene Daly
Bridget Mulvihill
Margaret Daly
Bridget Henry

The Night of the Sinking

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, fellow passenger Bridget Mulvihill reported a heart-wrenching sight. She saw Mrs. Rice standing on either the boat deck or A-deck, clutching her youngest son to her breast, with the other boys holding onto her skirts.

A Family Lost

Tragically, the entire Rice family was lost in the sinking. Only Mrs. Rice’s body (#12) was recovered by the Mackay Bennett and identified. Arthur, at just 4 (four) years old, along with his brothers, became one of the many young victims of the Titanic disaster.

Arthur’s Appearance

While we don’t have a detailed description of Arthur at the time of the Titanic’s sinking, his earlier migration records describe him as having a fair complexion with light hair and blue eyes, painting a picture of a typical young boy of his ancestry.

Arthur Rice’s short life, ending so tragically on the Titanic, serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the disaster. His story, intertwined with his family’s journey across continents, reflects the broader narrative of migration and hope that the Titanic symbolized for many of its passengers.