Edwin Herbert Keeping

Who was Mr Edwin Herbert Keeping?

Mr Edwin Herbert Keeping was a 33 (thirty-three) year-old English servant who tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster. Born on July 5, 1878, in St George’s, London, Keeping was a well-traveled individual who worked for wealthy families, including the prominent Widener family of Pennsylvania. His life and untimely death on the Titanic offer a poignant glimpse into the lives of service staff aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Family

A Family in Service

Edwin Herbert Keeping was born into a family familiar with domestic service. His father, Henry Keeping (b. 1844), worked as a valet for wealthy families, while his mother, Emma Copsey (b. 1843), hailed from Surrey. The couple married in 1868 and had eight children, though only four survived infancy. Edwin’s known siblings were:

• Edith Ellen (b. 1868)
• Alice Aline (b. 1869)
• Louise Jane (b. 1872)
• Arthur Francis James (b. 1880)

Childhood and Early Years

Young Edwin’s childhood was marked by some separation from his immediate family. The 1881 census reveals an interesting detail:

• Edwin’s family resided at 126 Queens Road in St George’s, London
• Edwin, however, was living with his maternal grandparents, John and Susannah Copsey, at 32 Kirkdale Road, Tonbridge, Kent

By 1891, Edwin had rejoined his family at their Queens Road address. Tragedy struck in 1893 when his mother passed away at the age of 49. Following this loss, his father relocated to Hythe, Hampshire, where he lived until his death in Surrey in 1934 at the age of 89.

Career and Travels

How did Keeping’s career evolve?

Edwin Keeping’s career was characterized by extensive travel and service to wealthy employers. His journeys took him to numerous countries, working for various distinguished individuals. One notable employer was a Russian Grand Duke, who gifted Keeping a locket upon his departure – a token that would later play a poignant role in his story.

American Journey

Around 1903, Keeping made a significant life change by emigrating to the United States. There, he secured employment with the wealthy Widener family of Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Keeping’s personal life took a happy turn around 1908 when he married Caroline Elizabeth Johansson. Born on February 10, 1880, in Stockholm, Sweden, Caroline had emigrated to the USA in 1895 and, like Edwin, found employment with the Widener family. The couple welcomed their daughter, Mildred Evelyn Nance, in 1909. The 1910 census shows the family residing in Cheltenham, Montgomery, Pennsylvania.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Edwin Keeping boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, accompanying the Widener family. He traveled as a first-class passenger on his own ticket (#113503), which cost £211 10s ($10 in today’s currency). His cabin was listed as C132, though this is uncertain.

The Tragedy Unfolds

Tragically, Keeping did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, listed as body #45, and was buried at sea on April 21, 1912.

Recovery and Remembrance

What was found with Edwin Keeping’s body?

The recovery of Edwin Keeping’s body provided a touching insight into his life and the era. The official report detailed:

NO.45 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE 32 - HAIR LIGHT

CLOTHING - Grey overcoat marked “E.K” on the inside pocket, black suit, striped shirt and black boots.

EFFECTS - gold watch and chain, locket, pocket book with diamond and ruby tie-pin, one $2.00 bill, cigarette case, 3 pieces of 20 francs, 1 piece of 20 f. Magyar, and three 100 fr. notes in a purse, keys and lucky cent, 3s 3d in coins; Paris address “Ritz Hotel”.

FIRST CLASS - NAME - EDWIN KEEPING, Valet

Perhaps the most poignant item recovered was the locket, a gift from his former Russian employer. Inside were two pictures: one of his wife and the other of his three-year-old daughter.

Legacy and Family’s Fate

How did the Titanic disaster impact Keeping’s family?

The loss of Edwin Keeping had far-reaching consequences for his family:

• His widow, Caroline, and daughter Mildred received an annual sum from a trust established by Mrs. Eleanor Widener.
• Keeping’s estate, valued at £247, 1s, 1d, was administered to Caroline on October 19, 1912.
• Caroline never remarried and eventually returned to her native Sweden with Mildred.
• Caroline passed away in 1960.
• Mildred married Hans Theodor Axelsson Fogelberg (1902-1989) in the 1930s, raised a family, and died in Stockholm in 1990.

Edwin Herbert Keeping’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in the Titanic disaster, representing not just the wealthy passengers but also the dedicated service staff who perished alongside them. His recovered locket, with pictures of the family he left behind, remains a touching symbol of the personal tragedies behind the historic event.