Edith Pears

Who was Mrs Edith Pears?

Mrs Edith Pears was a 22-year-old English first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 1, 1889, she was the daughter of Frank Wearne, co-founder of Feuerheerd Wearne, and was married to Thomas Pears, a descendant of the founder of the renowned soap manufacturing company, A & F Pears Ltd.

Early Life and Family Background

A Privileged Upbringing

Edith was born into a family of considerable means and influence. Her father, Frank Wearne, was a co-founder of Feuerheerd Wearne, a business later acquired by Gonzales Byass, known for their ‘Tio Pepe’ sherry. Her mother, Ada Wearne (née Morris), was described as a “kindly but severe Victorian matriarch.” The Morris family had connections to the prestigious City solicitors, Ashurst Morris Crisp, and were involved in property development.

Education and Early Adulthood

Edith’s education reflected her family’s social standing:

• Attended Wycombe Abbey School, a renowned institution for girls
• Lived in France for a period, likely to broaden her cultural horizons
• Returned to the family home in Greencroft Gardens, Hampstead, London NW6

Marriage and the Titanic Voyage

A Union of Prominent Families

On September 15, 1910, shortly after her 21st birthday, Edith married Thomas Pears. This union connected two influential families:

• Thomas was the great-great-grandson of Andrew Pears, founder of A & F Pears Ltd
• The marriage likely strengthened both families’ social and business ties

The Fateful Journey

In 1912, Thomas and Edith embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever:

• Boarded the Titanic at Southampton
• Occupied cabin C-2, a first-class accommodation
• Thomas was possibly scouting locations for his company’s expansion into America

Tragedy Strikes

The sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, had profound consequences for Edith:

• She survived the disaster, being rescued in lifeboat 8
• Thomas, her husband, perished in the sinking
• His will left her £16,763 10s 7d, a substantial sum at the time
• Edith was shocked to learn she couldn’t continue living at ‘Mevagissey,’ as it was company-owned

Life After the Titanic

World War I and Personal Tragedies

The years following the Titanic disaster brought further hardships for Edith and her family:

• Two of her brothers, Keith and Bernard, were killed in action during World War I
  • Bernard was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
• Her brother Geoffrey suffered severe mental trauma from his war experiences
  • He spent 58 years in a mental hospital following the war

A New Chapter

Despite these tragedies, Edith found ways to contribute and rebuild her life:

• Served as a nurse in the British Red Cross, driving ambulances
• Joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), driving cabs for high-ranking officers
• Shared a London flat with Norah Crowe, daughter of her father’s friend

Second Marriage and Family

Edith’s life took a positive turn when she met Douglas V. Crowe:

• Douglas was an electrical engineer turned tea-planter in India
• They married and had two children:
  • Sheila M., born in Travancore, India, in 1920
  • Frank W., born in Worcester Park, Surrey, in 1924

Final Years and Legacy

Edith’s later life was marked by both struggle and resilience:

• Suffered from some form of mental illness
• Passed away on March 24, 1956, at the Royal Surrey County Hospital
• Cause of death: pneumonia resulting from ingesting ammonia
• Cremated at Woking Crematorium, with ashes scattered in the Garden of Remembrance
• Left an estate valued at £36,828 to her husband and daughter

Edith Pears’ life story is a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors. From the opulence of first-class travel to the horrors of that fateful night, through personal tragedies and eventual renewal, her journey reflects the tumultuous early 20th century. Her survival and subsequent life serve as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.