Dorothy Ann Turpin

Who was Mrs Dorothy Ann Turpin?

Mrs Dorothy Ann Turpin (née Wonnacott) was a 26 (twenty-six) year-old English housewife and second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in Plymouth, Devon, she tragically perished in the sinking alongside her husband, William John Turpin, on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Dorothy Ann Wonnacott was born on April 25, 1885, in Plymouth, Devon, England. She came from a working-class family with deep roots in the West Country. Her parents were:

Father: Arscott Wonnacott (1852-1917), a carpenter and joiner
Mother: Mary Jane Rees (1858-1937)

The Wonnacotts were natives of Holsworthy, Devon, and married in 1878. They had seven children, though only four survived infancy. Dorothy’s siblings included:

Charles Thomas (1879-1966)
Lucy Jane (b. 1882, later Mrs George Gordon Gilbert)
Gertrude May (1894-1985, later Mrs Stanley Kirk)

Childhood and Early Career

Dorothy’s early years were spent in Plymouth, where her family moved between various addresses:

1891: Living at 1 Caprera Place, St Andrew, Plymouth
1901: Residing at 2 Sladden Terrace, Plymouth

By the time of the 1901 census, the young Dorothy had already entered the workforce. At the age of 16 (sixteen), she was described as a stationery shop assistant, showcasing her early work ethic and contribution to her family’s income.

Marriage and Life in America

A Plymouth Wedding

On March 23, 1908, Dorothy married William John Turpin, a carpenter born in 1882, at the Eldad Presbyterian Church in Plymouth. This union would set the course for their future adventures and, ultimately, their tragic fate.

New Life in Utah

Shortly after their marriage, William secured work in the United States. The couple initially lived at 59 Chaddlewood Avenue, Lipson, Plymouth, before making the bold move across the Atlantic. They settled in Garfield, Salt Lake City, Utah, where they appear on the 1910 census.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Visit Home

In August 1911, Dorothy and William returned to England to visit their families. It was a chance to reconnect with loved ones and share stories of their new life in America. Dorothy’s parents were then living at 17 Endsleigh Place, Plymouth.

Boarding the Titanic

For their return journey to Utah, the Turpins booked passage on the RMS Titanic, embarking at Southampton. They traveled as second-class passengers, with the following details:

Ticket Number: 11668
Ticket Cost: £21

The Night of the Sinking

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic was sinking, Second Officer Lightoller encountered a couple from the West Country late in the evacuation process. He advised the woman to board a lifeboat, to which she famously replied, “Not on your life.” While it cannot be confirmed, it is believed that this courageous and devoted couple may have been the Turpins.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The sinking of the Titanic claimed both Dorothy and William’s lives. Their bodies were never recovered from the icy Atlantic waters, leaving their families to mourn without closure.

In the years following the disaster:

Dorothy’s father, Arscott Wonnacott, passed away in 1917
Her mother, Mary Jane, lived until 1937
Dorothy’s last surviving sibling, Gertrude, died in Barnstaple, Devon, in 1985 at the age of 91 (ninety-one)

What impact did Dorothy Ann Turpin’s story have?

Dorothy Ann Turpin’s story, while tragic, serves as a poignant reminder of the many ordinary lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. Her tale, particularly the possibility that she and her husband were the couple who chose to face death together rather than separate, exemplifies the deep bonds of love and loyalty that existed among many Titanic passengers. It continues to resonate with historians and the public, highlighting the human aspect of this historic maritime tragedy.