David Reeves

Who was Mr David Reeves?

Mr David Reeves was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old English carpenter and joiner who tragically lost his life as a second-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in Slinfold, Sussex, England on December 1, 1875, Reeves was traveling to Cleveland, Ohio when the ill-fated ship sank on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Sussex Upbringing

David Reeves was born into a working-class family in rural Sussex. His parents were:

• Father: James Reeves (born 1848), a farm labourer
• Mother: Caroline Elliott (born 1852)

Both his parents were natives of Rudgwick, Sussex, and had married in 1871. David was the only son among four children, with three sisters:

1. Annie Edith (born 1872)
2. Ellen (born 1879)
3. Rose Hannah (born 1884)

Childhood and Education

The Reeves family’s life in Sussex was characterized by rural living and modest means. In the 1881 census, they were recorded as residing at Weavers in Slinfold. Later, they relocated to Billingshurst, Sussex, where the 1891 census shows them living at Miners Wood.

Interestingly, by the time of the 1891 census, young David had already left school and was described as a “farmer’s boy,” indicating an early entry into the workforce typical of the era.

Career and Personal Life

From Farmer’s Boy to Skilled Craftsman

How did David Reeves transition from farm work to carpentry? While the exact details of his career progression are not provided, we know that he eventually became a skilled joiner and carpenter. This shift from agricultural labor to a skilled trade suggests ambition and a desire for a more stable and potentially lucrative career.

Marriage and Loss

David’s personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy:

• Married Emily Lipscombe in early 1901
• The couple lived at 99 Seathwaite Road, Battersea, London
• Sadly, they had no children
• Emily passed away in 1905 at the young age of 25
• David did not remarry after Emily’s death

Life as a Widower

Following the loss of his wife, David’s life took on a solitary nature. The 1911 census provides a snapshot of his life a year before the Titanic disaster:

• Living as a boarder at 3 Hartington Road, Brighton
• Described as a widowed carpenter and joiner
• Continued to pursue his trade despite personal loss

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Adventure

What prompted David Reeves to book passage on the Titanic? We know that he was traveling to Cleveland, Ohio, where he had a brother-in-law. This suggests he may have been seeking new opportunities or a fresh start in America.

Details of David’s Titanic Journey:

• Embarked at Southampton
• Traveling as a second-class passenger
• Ticket number: CA 17248
• Ticket cost: £10, 10s (equivalent to about £1,200 in 2023)

The Tragic End

Sadly, David Reeves did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This lack of closure must have been particularly difficult for his surviving family members.

Legacy and Final Affairs

Despite the tragedy, there are aspects of David’s story that provide a glimpse into the era and the aftermath of the Titanic disaster:

• His estate was valued at £68, 15s, 10d (approximately £8,000 in 2023)
• The estate was administered to his father on July 3, 1912

This final act of administering his modest estate to his father underscores the close family ties of the time and the impact of the tragedy on families left behind.

David Reeves’ story, while tragically cut short, offers a poignant snapshot of early 20th-century English life, from rural Sussex to the ill-fated decks of the Titanic. His journey from farmer’s boy to skilled carpenter, and his attempt to seek new horizons in America, embodies the spirit of ambition and hope that the Titanic herself represented to so many of her passengers.