Clifford Thomas Jefferys

Who was Mr Clifford Thomas Jefferys?

Mr Clifford Thomas Jefferys was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Channel Islander from Guernsey who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. A granite cutter by trade, Jefferys was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, embarking on a journey to start a new life in America with his family members.

Early Life and Family

A Channel Island Upbringing

Clifford Thomas Jefferys was born on April 8, 1888, in St Peter’s Port, Guernsey, one of the picturesque Channel Islands. He was the son of William John Jefferys, a general labourer born in 1854, and Alice Ann Bennett, born in 1855. Both parents were Guernsey natives who had married around 1881.

Siblings and Family Life

Clifford was one of eight children in the Jefferys family. His siblings included:

• Lillian Elizabeth (b. 1882)
• Ada Alice (b. 1883)
• Frederick William (b. 1885)
• Ernest Wilfred (b. 1891)
• Hilda (b. 1897)
• William George Bennett (b. 1900)
• Albert Edward (b. 1902)

The Jefferys family’s life can be traced through census records, providing glimpses into their changing circumstances:

1. In the 1891 census, the family resided at 3, The Green in St Peter’s Port.
2. By 1901, they had moved to The Banks, 1 Elizabeth Terrace, St Sampson, with William John now working as a stoker.
3. Sadly, Clifford’s mother passed away in early 1911.
4. The 1911 census shows Clifford still living at home, now at Rosslyn in St Sampsons, Guernsey, where he was described as a granite cutter.

Career and Aspirations

What was Clifford’s profession?

Clifford Jefferys followed in the footsteps of many Guernsey men of his time, becoming a granite cutter. This skilled trade was an important industry on the island, known for its high-quality stone. His work as a granite cutter likely prepared him for the physical demands of starting a new life in America.

The Journey to a New Life

Family Connections in America

Clifford’s journey to America was inspired by family connections already established across the Atlantic:

• His sister Lillian Renouf and brother Frederick had emigrated to the USA in 1907.
• They had settled in Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey.
• In late 1911, Lillian returned to Guernsey with her husband Peter for a visit.

The Titanic Voyage

Upon Lillian and Peter’s return to Elizabeth, Clifford and his younger brother Ernest decided to accompany them to start a new life in America. Their Titanic experience was as follows:

• Embarkation: Southampton
• Ticket Number: 31029 (shared with his brother and a friend)
• Ticket Cost: £31, 10s
• Class: Second Class

Clifford was not alone in his journey. He traveled with a group that included:

1. His brother Ernest Wilfred Jefferys
2. His friend Albert Denbuoy
3. His sister Lillian Renouf and her husband Peter
4. Other Guernsey natives:
   • William Douton
   • Lillian Bentham
   • Emily Rugg

The Fateful Night

What happened to Clifford on the night of the sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Clifford, his brother Ernest, and brother-in-law Peter were socializing in the smoking room when the Titanic struck the iceberg. Their actions in the following moments paint a picture of familial concern and the chaos of the disaster:

1. They descended the decks to fetch Lillian Renouf from her cabin.
2. The group then ascended to the boat deck.
3. In the ensuing panic and confusion, Clifford Jefferys tragically lost his life in the sinking.

His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Aftermath and Legacy

A Scandalous Accusation

In a cruel twist of fate, the Jefferys family’s tragedy was compounded by a scandalous accusation:

• Lillian, who survived the disaster, returned to New York.
• She was alerted to a news story claiming her brothers were members of the notorious Doc Owen gang of card sharps.
• This gang was known for fleecing passengers on trans-Atlantic liners.
• Lillian and her brother Frederick were incensed by the false accusation.
• They declared their intention to sue those responsible for publishing the story.

This baseless accusation highlights the sensationalism and sometimes reckless reporting that followed the Titanic disaster, often causing additional pain to grieving families.

Clifford Thomas Jefferys’ life, cut short at just 24 years old, serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that make up the larger Titanic disaster. His story, from his humble beginnings in Guernsey to his fateful journey on the Titanic, exemplifies the hopes and dreams of many who sought a new life across the Atlantic, only to have those dreams tragically dashed on that cold April night in 1912.