Constance Gladys Sage

Who was Miss Constance Gladys Sage?

Miss Constance Gladys Sage was a 7 (seven) year-old English girl who tragically lost her life aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Wooton, Norfolk, England in the latter half of 1904, she was part of a large family embarking on a new life in America when fate intervened on that fateful night.

Early Life and Family

A Bustling Household

Constance was born into a large and bustling family, the eighth of nine children. Her parents were:

• John George Sage (born 1867): A corn chandler from Hackney
• Elizabeth Ann Cazaly (born 1865): Originally from Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

The Sage family was comprised of:

1. Stella Anna (born 1891)
2. George John (born 1892)
3. Douglas Bullen (born 1893)
4. Frederick (born 1895)
5. Dorothy Florence (born 1897)
6. Anthony William (born 1899)
7. Elizabeth Ada (born 1901)
8. Constance Gladys (born 1904)
9. Thomas Henry (born 1907)

Early Years in Norfolk

Constance’s early childhood was spent in Norfolk, where her father ran the New Inn in Gaywood. This rural upbringing likely provided a quaint backdrop for her formative years, surrounded by her many siblings in the English countryside.

The Move to Peterborough

A Change in Profession

By 1911, the Sage family had relocated to Peterborough, Northamptonshire. The census of that year shows them residing at 246 Gladstone Street, where John Sage had taken up work as a baker. This move from innkeeper to baker may have been motivated by the needs of his growing family.

The American Dream

A Father’s Ambition

In April 1911, a pivotal moment occurred in the Sage family history. John Sage and his eldest son, George, embarked on a journey to Winnipeg, Manitoba. There, they found employment as cooks with the Central Pacific Railway, demonstrating the family’s adaptability and work ethic.

From Railway to Pecan Farm

After months of hard work and saving, John and George Sage made a bold decision. They purchased a fruit farm in Jacksonville, Florida, with the intention of cultivating pecans. This venture represented the family’s aspiration for a new life in America, full of opportunity and promise.

The Fateful Journey

A Change of Plans

“It was originally intended that the family would travel aboard the Philadelphia, but the coal strike forced them to take passage on Titanic instead.”

This twist of fate would have profound consequences for the entire Sage family.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, after bidding farewell to well-wishers, the Sage family boarded a train to Southampton. There, they embarked on the RMS Titanic as third-class passengers. Their ticket, number 2343, cost £69 11s, a significant sum for a family of eleven.

The Tragic Night

A Family’s Final Moments

As the Titanic began to sink in the early hours of April 15, 1912, it’s believed that the Sage family managed to reach the deck. A poignant story emerged about Constance’s older sister, Stella:

“There are reports that Stella had got into a lifeboat but left it when other members of her family were unable to join her.”

This heart-wrenching decision exemplifies the strong family bonds that kept the Sages together until the very end.

A Devastating Loss

Tragically, all eleven members of the Sage family perished in the sinking. Young Constance, at just 7 (seven) years old, was among those lost to the icy waters of the North Atlantic. In a cruel twist, out of this large family, only the body of Anthony William was recovered.

Legacy

The story of Constance Gladys Sage and her family serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. Their journey, from the small towns of England to the decks of the ill-fated ship, encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers seeking a better life in America. Today, Constance is remembered not just as a victim of a maritime tragedy, but as a symbol of the innocence and potential lost on that fateful night in April 1912.