Charles Robert Bainbrigge

Who was Charles Robert Bainbrigge?

Charles Robert Bainbrigge was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Channel Islander who worked as a horse trainer. He was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic and tragically lost his life in the sinking on April 15, 1912. Bainbrigge’s story is one of international connections, from his Channel Islands roots to his work in the United States, culminating in his fateful journey on the Titanic.

Early Life and Family

A Wealthy Family Background

Charles Robert Bainbrigge was born on October 19, 1889, in St Andrews, Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. He came from a family of means:

• Father: Reginald John Bainbrigge, born in Canada in 1853 to Channel Islander parents
• Mother: Maud Emma Platts, born in Adelaide, Australia in 1860
• Siblings:
  • Ethel Dora (b. 1878)
  • Reginald (b. 1884)
  • William Herbert (1894-1921)

Interestingly, Charles’s sister Ethel was born in Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), highlighting the family’s international connections.

Childhood at Rohais Manor

The Bainbrigge family resided at Rohais Manor in St Andrews, Guernsey. This prestigious address appears on all census records from 1891 onwards, indicating the family’s continued wealth and social status. Charles first appears on the 1891 census as an infant, living with his family in this grand residence.

Career and Life in the United States

Early Travels and Career Path

Charles Bainbrigge’s life took an international turn in his teens:

• 1905: First visit to the USA with his sister Ethel
• March 26, 1909: Second voyage to the USA, arriving in New York aboard the Adriatic

Following his second trip, Bainbrigge remained in the United States, specifically in Minnesota. He found employment as a horse trainer at Savage’s International Stock Farm, showcasing his skills and passion for equestrian work.

Family Ties in America

While Charles pursued his career in Minnesota, his sister Ethel had settled permanently in the United States:

• Ethel married William King
• They lived at 214 Dayton Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota
• Ethel later had a son, Charles William (1918-2005)

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was Charles on the Titanic?

In early 1912, Charles returned to his native Guernsey to visit his widowed mother. His plan to return to Minnesota took an unexpected turn:

1. Original plan: Sail on the Olympic on April 3, 1912
2. Change of plans: Delayed trip to sail on the Titanic instead

This decision would ultimately seal his fate.

Titanic Boarding Details

The Tragedy and Aftermath

Charles Robert Bainbrigge, at the young age of 22 (twenty-two), lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Financial Support for the Family

The Titanic Relief Fund provided support to Charles’s mother:

• Grant amount: £85
• Case number: P. 16

Family After the Tragedy

• Charles’s mother continued to live at Rohais Manor until her death in 1929
• His sister Ethel remained in St Paul, Minnesota, passing away on June 16, 1956

Remembering Charles Robert Bainbrigge

Today, Charles is remembered on a plaque at St Peter Port, Guernsey, along with other Titanic passengers from the Channel Islands. This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Charles Robert Bainbrigge’s story, though tragically cut short, reflects the international nature of early 20th-century society and the far-reaching impact of the Titanic disaster on families across the globe.