Augusta Goodwin

Who was Mrs Augusta Goodwin?

Mrs Augusta Goodwin was a 43 (forty-three) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 14, 1868, in Brompton, Kensington, Middlesex, she was traveling with her husband and six children in third class when the ship sank on April 15, 1912. Augusta’s tragic story is one of an entire family lost to the disaster, highlighting the disproportionate impact on third-class passengers.

Early Life and Family Background

Augusta Tyler was born into a working-class family in Victorian England. Her parents were:

Father: Charles Tyler (1838-1897), a waiter from Chingford, Essex
Mother: Clara Ann Cook (1837-1908) from Chelsea, London

Augusta grew up with four siblings:

Harriet Maria (b. 1866)
Clara Ann (1872-1951), later Mrs Ernest Albert Berry
Arthur William (b. 1874)
Charles Edward (1880-1971)

Where did Augusta spend her early years?

Augusta’s childhood was marked by several moves within London. Her early residences included:

North Row, Brompton, Kensington (1871 census)
2 Dukes Lane, Kensington (1881 census)
10 Vernon Street, Fulham, London (1891 census - family residence)

Interestingly, the 1891 census lists Augusta separately at Pockeridge House, Corsham, Wiltshire, where she worked as a domestic servant. This early employment foreshadowed the family’s later connection to Wiltshire.

Marriage and Family Life

On Christmas Day, 1894, Augusta married Frederick Joseph Goodwin, a printer from Surrey. Their union produced six children:

Lillian Augusta (b. 1896)
Charles Edward (b. 1897)
William Frederick (b. 1898)
Jessie Allis Mary (b. 1900)
Harold Victor (b. 1901)
Sidney Leslie (b. 1910)

The growing Goodwin family initially settled at 4 Exeter Road, Edmonton, Middlesex, as recorded in the 1901 census. By 1910, they had moved to Melksham, Wiltshire, residing at Watson’s Court on High Street. The 1911 census shows Frederick’s occupation had changed from printer to general laborer in a foundry, indicating a shift in the family’s circumstances.

The Fateful Journey

Why were the Goodwins on the Titanic?

The Goodwin family’s presence on the Titanic was the result of a series of events and decisions:

Several of Frederick’s siblings had emigrated to Niagara, New York.
Frederick’s brother Thomas notified him of a job opportunity at the Niagara power station.
The family decided to emigrate, borrowing funds from relatives to finance the journey.
Originally booked on another steamer, a coal strike led to their transfer to the Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details

Embarkation: Southampton, April 10, 1912
Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: 2144
Ticket Cost: £46, 18s (equivalent to about £5,600 or $7,000 in 2023)

The Tragic Fate of the Goodwin Family

“Like most large families travelling in third class, especially those with teenage boys, the entire family was lost in the sinking.”

The sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, claimed the lives of all eight members of the Goodwin family. This tragic loss underscores the disproportionate impact of the disaster on third-class passengers, particularly families with children.

What happened to the Goodwins’ remains?

In a heart-wrenching twist, only the body of baby Sidney Leslie Goodwin was recovered. For many years, the infant’s remains were unidentified, serving as a poignant symbol of the many young lives lost in the disaster.

Legacy and Remembrance

How was Augusta Goodwin’s estate handled?

Augusta’s estate, valued at £26, 11s, was administered to her sister Clara Berry on September 19, 1912. This modest sum (equivalent to about £3,200 or $4,000 in 2023) highlights the limited financial means of many third-class passengers.

Is there a memorial to the Goodwin family?

A memorial dedicated to the Goodwin family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire. This tribute serves as a lasting reminder of the family’s connection to the area and their tragic fate aboard the Titanic.

The story of Augusta Goodwin and her family remains one of the most heart-rending tales from the Titanic disaster. Their journey, begun with hopes for a new life in America, ended in an unimaginable tragedy that continues to evoke empathy and reflection over a century later.