Ernest Wilfred Jefferys

Who was Mr Ernest Wilfred Jefferys?

Mr Ernest Wilfred Jefferys was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Channel Islander who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on February 24, 1891, in St Peter’s Port, Guernsey, Jefferys was a granite cutter by trade who embarked on a fateful journey to start a new life in America.

Early Life and Family

A Channel Islands Upbringing

Ernest Wilfred Jefferys was born into a large family in the picturesque Channel Islands. His parents were:

• Father: William John Jefferys (born 1854), a general labourer
• Mother: Alice Ann Bennett (born 1855)

Both his parents were Guernsey natives who had married around 1881. Ernest was one of eight children, his siblings being:

1. Lillian Elizabeth (born 1882)
2. Ada Alice (born 1883)
3. Frederick William (born 1885)
4. Clifford Thomas (born 1888)
5. Hilda (born 1897)
6. William George Bennett (born 1900)
7. Albert Edward (born 1902)

Childhood and Early Adulthood

Ernest’s early years were spent in St Peter’s Port, the capital of Guernsey. The 1891 census records show the infant Ernest living with his family at 3, The Green. By 1901, the family had moved to The Banks, 1 Elizabeth Terrace, St Sampson, where his father had found work as a stoker.

Tragedy struck the family in early 1911 when Ernest’s mother passed away. The 1911 census paints a picture of Ernest’s life at this time:

• Residence: Rosslyn in St Sampsons, Guernsey
• Occupation: Granite cutter

The Journey to a New Life

Why Did Ernest Decide to Emigrate?

Ernest’s decision to leave Guernsey was likely influenced by his family connections in America. His sister Lillian Renouf and brother Frederick had emigrated to the USA in 1907, settling in Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey. When Lillian returned to Guernsey in late 1911 with her husband Peter for a visit, it presented an opportunity for Ernest and his elder brother Clifford to accompany them back to America.

Boarding the Titanic

Ernest boarded the Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what he hoped would be a journey to a new life. He was accompanied by:

• His brother, Clifford Thomas Jefferys
• A friend, Albert Denbuoy
• His sister, Lillian Renouf, and her husband Peter

Their joint ticket number was 31029, which cost £31, 10s (equivalent to approximately £3,700 in 2023). They traveled as second-class passengers.

Other Guernsey natives traveling with their group included:

• William Douton
• Lillian Bentham
• Emily Rugg

The Fateful Night

What Happened to Ernest on April 14, 1912?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Ernest, his brother Clifford, and brother-in-law Peter were socializing in the smoking room when the Titanic collided with an iceberg. Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, they:

1. Descended the decks to fetch Lillian Renouf from her cabin
2. Ascended to the boat deck

Tragically, Ernest Jefferys did not survive the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Controversy

A False Accusation

In the aftermath of the disaster, a shocking news story emerged that cast a shadow over the memory of Ernest and his brother. The story falsely claimed that the Jefferys brothers were members of the notorious Doc Owen gang of card sharps, known for fleecing passengers on trans-Atlantic liners.

This unfounded accusation deeply distressed Ernest’s surviving family members. His sister Lillian and brother Frederick were so incensed by the false report that they declared their intention to sue those responsible for the story’s publication.

Final Thoughts

Ernest Wilfred Jefferys’ life was cut tragically short at the age of 21 (twenty-one). His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster, each with their own hopes and dreams for a better future in America. The false accusations that followed his death underscore the importance of preserving the truth and dignity of those who perished on that fateful night in April 1912.