Barbara Joyce West

Who was Barbara Joyce West?

Barbara Joyce West was one of the last surviving passengers of the RMS Titanic, born on May 24, 1911, in Bournemouth, England. She was just 10 months and 18 days old when she boarded the ill-fated ship with her family, becoming one of the youngest survivors of the disaster. Barbara lived a long and full life, passing away at the age of 96 (ninety-six) in 2007, as the penultimate living Titanic survivor and the last living Titanic passenger of Cornish descent.

Early Life and Titanic Journey

Family Background

Barbara was born into a Cornish family, the daughter of:

Edwy Arthur West (born 1875), a department store floorwalker
Ada Mary Worth (born 1879)

She had an elder sister, Constance Miriam (born 1907), and later, a younger sister, Edwyna Joan, born in September 1912.

The Fateful Voyage

In 1912, the West family decided to embark on a new life in America, planning to start a fruit culture business in Gainesville, Florida. They boarded the Titanic as second-class passengers on April 10, 1912, in Southampton. Their ticket details were:

Ticket number: 34651
Cost: £27 15s (27 pounds, 15 shillings)

The Night of the Sinking

Barbara’s mother, Ada West, later recounted the harrowing events of April 14-15, 1912:

We were all asleep when the collision took place, but were only jolted in our berths - my husband and children not even being awakened, and it was only the hurrying of passengers outside the cabin that caused alarm. The steward bade us all get up and dress thoroughly with plenty of warm things. Arthur placed lifebelts upon the children and then carried them to the boat deck. I followed carrying my handbag. After seeing us safely into the lifeboat Arthur returned to the cabin for a thermos of hot milk, and, finding the lifeboat let down he reached it by means of a rope, gave the flask to me, and, with a farewell, returned to the deck of the ship.

Barbara, her mother, and sister Constance were rescued in Lifeboat 11. Tragically, her father Edwy did not survive the sinking.

Life After the Titanic

Return to England and Education

After the Titanic disaster, Barbara, her mother, and sister returned to England aboard the Celtic. They settled in Truro, Cornwall. Barbara’s education included:

Attending the Worshipful Company of Drapers’ boarding school in Purley, Surrey, until age 12
Truro Girls’ High School
St Luke’s College, Exeter, where she trained in physical education and geography

Career and Personal Life

Barbara’s professional life included:

Working as a governess for a Cornish family in Spain
Teaching at Guildford High School in Surrey
Returning to Cornwall to teach at her old school in Truro
Becoming deputy head of physical education at a school in Plymstock

Her personal life was marked by two marriages:

In 1937, to Stanley Winder (born 1894), who passed away in 1950
In 1952, to William Ernest Barrell Dainton (born July 28, 1896), known as “Dee”

Later Years and Legacy

Relationship with Titanic History

Barbara was known for her reluctance to discuss the Titanic tragedy. She famously stated, “I want nothing to do with the Titanic people!” However, she did maintain modest contact with the British Titanic Society.

Final Years

Barbara spent her last years in a nursing home in Camborne, Cornwall. She passed away on October 16, 2007, at the age of 96 (ninety-six). Her funeral was held at Truro Cathedral on November 5, 2007.

A Unique Place in History

Barbara Joyce West held a special place in Titanic history:

She was the penultimate living Titanic survivor
The last living Titanic passenger of Cornish descent
Her death left Millvina Dean as the only living Titanic survivor

Barbara’s life spanned nearly a century, from the Edwardian era to the early 21st century, making her a living link to one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.