Berthe Leroy
Who was Miss Berthe Leroy?
Miss Berthe Leroy was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old French first-class passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. She served as a personal maid to Mrs. Walter Donald Douglas during the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family
Berthe Leroy was born on August 10, 1884, in Compiegne, France. Her mother, Julie Leroy, resided in Hersin-Coupigny, France, which would later become Berthe’s final resting place.
Career as a Personal Maid
Berthe pursued a career in domestic service, eventually securing a position as a personal maid to Mrs. Walter Donald Douglas, a prominent American socialite.
The Titanic Journey
Embarkation and Accommodation
Berthe Leroy boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912. As a first-class passenger’s maid, she was afforded the luxury of traveling in first-class accommodations, albeit as part of the servant group.
Ticket and Travel Details
- Ticket Number: PC 17761
- Class: First Class
- Fare: £106 8s (equivalent to approximately £13,000 in 2023)
It’s worth noting that Berthe traveled on Mrs. Douglas’s ticket, a common practice for personal servants accompanying their employers on voyages.
The Night of the Disaster
When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Berthe Leroy’s quick thinking and proximity to her employer likely played a crucial role in her survival.
Rescue and Survival
Berthe Leroy was among the fortunate passengers who secured a spot on a lifeboat. She and Mrs. Douglas were rescued together in Lifeboat 2, one of the last boats to be launched from the port side of the ship.
Life After the Titanic
Arrival in New York
Following her rescue, Berthe disembarked in New York City along with other survivors. The experience of surviving such a catastrophic event undoubtedly left a lasting impact on her life.
Later Years and Death
Berthe Leroy lived a long life after her brush with death on the Titanic. She passed away on July 4, 1972, at the age of 87 (eighty-seven). Her final resting place is in the Hersin Coupigny Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, reconnecting her with her roots in her mother’s hometown.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Berthe Leroy’s story provides a unique perspective on the Titanic disaster from the viewpoint of a servant traveling in first class. Her survival account, though not widely publicized, contributes to the broader narrative of the Titanic’s impact on people from various walks of life.
As one of the few French survivors of the Titanic, Berthe Leroy’s experience offers insights into the international nature of the ship’s passenger list and the far-reaching consequences of the tragedy across different nations and social classes.
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Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.