Augustus Henry Aldworth

Who was Augustus Henry Aldworth?

Augustus Henry Aldworth was an English chauffeur who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on November 21, 1876, in Hendred, Berkshire, England, Aldworth was 35 (thirty-five) years old when he embarked on his fateful journey. He was employed by the wealthy Carter family of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and boarded the Titanic as a second-class passenger, accompanying his employers on what was to be their return trip to America.

Early Life and Family

Rural Beginnings

Augustus Henry Aldworth was born into a farming family in the rural village of Hendred, Berkshire. His parents were:

• Father: Boaz Aldworth (1839-1899), a farmer from Hendred
• Mother: Mary Frewin (b. 1840), originally from Oxfordshire

Augustus was one of eight children, growing up in a large family typical of the late Victorian era. His siblings included:

• Edith Eliza (b. 1864)
• Mary Jane (b. 1865)
• Walter (b. 1868)
• Euphimia Elizabeth (b. 1870)
• Naomi Frewin (b. 1872)
• Ruth Janet (b. 1875)
• Ethel Annie Frewin (b. 1880)

From Farm to Footman

The 1881 census provides the first official record of Augustus, showing him living with his family in East Hendred. By 1891, the Aldworths had moved to Foreman’s Lane Cottage in St Giles, Reading. It was here, at the tender age of 14, that Augustus began his working life as a farm laborer, following in his father’s footsteps.

However, Augustus’s life was to take a different path from the agricultural traditions of his family. The death of his father Boaz in 1899 may have been a turning point for the young man, prompting him to seek new opportunities beyond the familiar fields of Berkshire.

Career and Personal Life

A Servant in London

Leaving behind his rural roots, Augustus embarked on a new career in service to wealthy London families. The 1901 census reveals him working as a footman for the affluent Thompson family at 19 Portman Square, Marylebone, London. This move marked a significant shift in Augustus’s life, transitioning from farm work to the world of domestic service in the bustling capital.

Marriage and Family

On March 12, 1907, Augustus married Eleanor Alice Byford (born April 12, 1881) at Jesus Church in Enfield, London. Eleanor, like Augustus, worked in domestic service as a maid. Their union quickly bore fruit with the birth of their daughter, Alice Mary, on December 16, 1907.

The 1911 census paints a picture of the small Aldworth family:

They resided at 3 Quebec Mews, Parham Square, London, with Augustus now employed as a domestic chauffeur, a position that would ultimately lead him to his fate on the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Employed by the Carters

Augustus’s skills as a chauffeur caught the attention of the Carter family from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Employed to drive for this wealthy American family, Augustus found himself accompanying them on their return voyage to the United States aboard the RMS Titanic.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Augustus boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number 248744, cost £13, equivalent to approximately £1,500 in today’s currency. This was a significant sum for a servant, likely paid for by his employers.

Interesting Fact: The Carters’ 25 Horsepower Renault automobile, which Augustus would have been responsible for, was stored in the ship’s forward hold and listed on the cargo manifest.

Class Distinctions on the Titanic

While Augustus traveled in second class, the Carter family enjoyed the luxuries of first-class accommodations. This stark difference in travel arrangements highlights the rigid class structure of the early 20th century, even in the face of impending disaster.

The Sinking and Aftermath

A Tragic Fate

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, the ensuing chaos and limited lifeboat capacity meant that many passengers and crew would not survive. While the entire Carter family was saved, Augustus Aldworth was among those lost in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Family’s Future

Augustus’s estate, valued at £1043 14s (equivalent to about £120,000 today), was paid to a tool manufacturer named Walter Farrow on June 9, 1913. The relationship between Aldworth and Farrow remains a mystery, adding an intriguing footnote to Augustus’s story.

Eleanor Aldworth, widowed at a young age, never remarried. She lived out her later years at 53 Redburn Street in Chelsea, passing away on February 21, 1936. Their daughter, Alice Mary, married Henry Morrison Blanchard in 1930 and had three children: Beryl, Hilary, and Gillian. Alice Mary died in Ashford, Kent, in January 1981, carrying her father’s legacy into the late 20th century.

Augustus Henry Aldworth’s life and tragic death serve as a poignant reminder of the many personal stories intertwined with the Titanic disaster. From his humble beginnings in rural Berkshire to his final journey across the Atlantic, Augustus’s story reflects the social mobility, class distinctions, and ultimate fragility of life in the early 20th century.