Ellen 'Nellie' Walcroft

Who was Miss Ellen ‘Nellie’ Walcroft?

Miss Ellen ‘Nellie’ Walcroft was a 36-year-old (thirty-six) English cook and Titanic survivor who became known for her vivid account of the disaster and her subsequent life experiences. Born on December 9, 1875, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, Walcroft’s journey from a domestic cook to a Titanic survivor and later a decorated war contributor showcases a life of resilience and adventure.

Early Life and Family

Nellie Walcroft was born into a working-class family in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Her parents were John Wallcroft, a brewer’s labourer, and Rebecca Walcroft (née Broughton). Nellie grew up in a large family:

• Older brother: Fred (1873-1893)
• Younger brothers:
  • Walter (1879-1968)
  • Arthur (1882-1924)
  • John (1884-1885)

Tragically, Nellie’s mother passed away just three days after her youngest brother John’s birth in 1885. The following year, on September 22, 1885, her father remarried to Louisa Hicks, and they had five more daughters, expanding Nellie’s family further.

Career as a Cook

Nellie’s career as a cook began early in her life. Her positions included:

• 1901: Cook at the home of surgeon George Moore in Castle Hill, Maidenhead
• 1911: Cook for Mr. Evan Spicer, a paper manufacturer, at Belair Park, Dulwich

These experiences in prestigious households prepared her for the journey that would change her life forever.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Nellie board the Titanic?

In pursuit of better economic opportunities, Nellie decided to emigrate to America. She originally booked passage on another vessel with her friend Clear Cameron, but due to a coal strike, they were transferred to the Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details

• Embarkation: Southampton
• Ticket Number: F.C.C. 13528
• Ticket Price: £21
• Class: 2nd Class
• Cabin: Shared a second-class cabin on E-Deck with Clear Cameron
• Destination: Ruddington Farm, Mamaroneck, New York, to join her half-sister Lucy Land

The Night of the Disaster

Nellie’s account of the Titanic’s sinking, as detailed in a letter to the Maidenhead Advertiser dated April 23, 1912, provides a harrowing first-hand perspective of the tragedy:

1. Around 10:30 p.m. on April 14, Nellie and Clear went to their stateroom.
2. They were awakened by a sudden crash that nearly threw Nellie from her berth.
3. Despite initial reassurances from a steward, they dressed and went on deck.
4. They witnessed the launching of distress rockets.
5. Nellie and Clear boarded Lifeboat 14, commanded by Officer Lowe.
6. They watched in horror as the Titanic split and sank, followed by terrible cries from those left behind.
7. At daybreak, they saw six large icebergs in the vicinity.
8. They were transferred to Lifeboat 10 when Lowe went back to search for survivors.

Rescue and Arrival in New York

• Picked up by the Carpathia at 6:45 a.m.
• Slept on dining saloon tables during the journey to New York
• Arrived in New York at 8 p.m. on April 18
• Met by her sister and brother-in-law, Carl Land, who was given use of the family car as a chauffeur

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

• Sent a cablegram to her parents: “Arrived, well, Nellie”
• Filed a claim with White Star Line for her losses, valued at $651

Career Struggles in America

Nellie’s attempts to settle in America were initially challenging:

• Worked as a cook in Mamaroneck but was unhappy
• Tried another job in Rye, New York, with similar dissatisfaction
• Unsuccessfully sought work in Springfield
• Spent time at Ruddington Farm with her sister

World War I Service

During World War I, Nellie returned to England and served as a forewoman cook in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Her service was recognized with the British Empire Medal, Military Division, presented to her by the Consul General in New York on November 1, 1920.

Later Life in America

• 1920: Recorded twice in the Federal census, once with family and once as a cook in Manhattan
• June 14, 1922: Married William George Lipscomb, an Irishman
• 1930: Living in Brooklyn, with William working as a ‘Floor Man’ in a bank
• 1940: Moved to 292 18 Street, Brooklyn; William became an Apartment House Superintendent, while Nellie worked as a Seamstress

Legacy and Death

Nellie Walcroft Lipscomb passed away on September 4, 1949, at the age of 73 (seventy-three). She is buried alongside her husband William (who died on November 28, 1945) in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.

Her legacy as a Titanic survivor lives on through her detailed accounts of the disaster. In January 1999, a letter she had written detailing her experiences was sold at auction in Devizes, England, for $13,200, demonstrating the enduring interest in her story and the Titanic’s history.

Nellie Walcroft’s life journey from an English cook to a Titanic survivor, war contributor, and eventually an American immigrant encapsulates the tumultuous early 20th century, marked by technological marvels, devastating tragedies, and social changes that reshaped the world.