Charles Henry Davies

Who was Charles Henry Davies?

Charles Henry Davies was a 19 (nineteen) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1893, he was a general domestic servant from Bramshaw, Hampshire, who tragically lost his life in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Hampshire Upbringing

Charles Henry Davies was born on March 2, 1893, in Brook Hill, Bramshaw, Hampshire. He was the eldest child of Ernest Davies, a farmer born in 1865, and Edith Biddlecombe, born in 1867. Both of his parents were natives of Bramshaw and had married in 1892, just a year before Charles’s birth.

Siblings and Family Life

Charles grew up in a close-knit family and had three younger siblings:

Arthur Frank (born 1894)
Robert Edward (born 1897)
Elsie May (born 1900)

The Davies family lived in Bramshaw, as evidenced by census records. In the 1901 census, they were listed at an unspecified address in the village. By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to Brook Hill, Bramshaw.

Career and Aspirations

What was Charles’s occupation before boarding the Titanic?

According to the 1911 census, Charles Henry Davies was described as a general domestic servant at the age of 18. This occupation suggests that he had already entered the workforce and was gaining experience in household duties.

A Journey of Hope

Charles’s decision to board the Titanic was part of a larger plan to seek new opportunities abroad. He was traveling to Eden, Manitoba, likely in search of better prospects or adventure in the Canadian frontier.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ship of Dreams

On April 10, 1912, Charles Davies boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number 14879, was a joint ticket that cost £73 10s (73 pounds and 10 shillings), a considerable sum at the time.

Traveling Companions

Charles wasn’t alone on this journey. He was part of a group of seven men from the same locale who were all traveling together:

Ambrose Hood
William Dibden
Percy William Deacon
Leonard Mark Hickman
Lewis Hickman
Stanley George Hickman

This group of friends and acquaintances must have been filled with excitement and anticipation as they embarked on their transatlantic voyage.

The Tragic Sinking

What happened to Charles Davies during the Titanic disaster?

Tragically, Charles Henry Davies did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. At just 19 years old, his promising life was cut short in one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Recovery Efforts

Charles’s body, if recovered, was never identified. This sad fact was all too common for many of the Titanic’s victims, leaving families without closure and a proper place to mourn their loved ones.

Remembrance and Legacy

St. Peter’s Church Memorial

The sacrifice of Charles and his companions is commemorated on a memorial plaque in St Peter’s Church. The plaque reads:

Percy Deacon 17 Years old William Dibden 18 Years Old Charles Henry Davies 19 Years Old Ambrose Hood 21 Years Old Stanley George Hickman 21 Years Old Leonard Mark Hickman 24 Years Old Lewis Hickman 32 Years Old
All Of The Parish Who Were Lost In The Wreck Of The S S Titanic On April 15th 1912 Through Collision With An Iceberg In The Atlantic

This touching tribute ensures that the memory of these young men, including Charles Henry Davies, lives on in their home parish.

Family Aftermath

The loss of Charles deeply affected his family. His mother, Edith, lived until 1925, carrying the memory of her eldest son for 13 years after the tragedy. His father, Ernest, survived until 1929. Both parents had to endure the heartbreak of outliving their firstborn child.

Charles Henry Davies’s story, though tragically short, serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives full of potential that were lost in the Titanic disaster. His memory, preserved through memorials and historical records, continues to touch those who learn about the human stories behind this historic event.