Evan Lewis Davies

Who was Mr Evan Lewis Davies?

Mr Evan Lewis Davies was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Welsh miner who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1890 in Killybebill, Pontardawe, Glamorganshire, Wales, Davies was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Family

A Welsh Upbringing

Evan Lewis Davies was born in early 1890 to Lewis Evan Davies, a coal mine haulier, and Mary Rogers, both natives of Glamorganshire. He was the eldest of three children, with younger siblings Elizabeth (born 1895) and Gwilym (born 1898).

Family Tragedy and Changes

Tragedy struck the Davies family when Evan’s mother, Mary, is believed to have passed away around 1899. This loss was followed by significant changes in the family structure:

• In 1902, Evan’s father remarried to Alice Lewis, a native of Alltwen, Pontardawe
• Through this marriage, Evan gained six half-siblings:
  1. Thomas John (born 1900)
  2. Morgan (born 1902)
  3. Jennet (born 1904)
  4. David (born 1906)
  5. Howell (born 1909)
  6. Catherine (born 1911)

Living Arrangements

Evan’s early years were marked by several changes in his living situation:

• 1891 census: Listed as a 1-year-old infant living with his parents at Collier’s Lane in Killybebill
• 1901 census: Shown living with his family at an unspecified address in Killybebill
• Later years: Evan and his sister Elizabeth moved to live with their maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Rogers, at Ynysymond, Glais, Pontardawe

Career and Life Before Titanic

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

By the time of the 1911 census, Evan had followed his father’s career path:

• Occupation: Coal miner
• Workplace: Likely in the Pontardawe area, known for its coal mining industry

This choice of profession was common for young men in Wales during this period, as the coal industry was a significant employer in the region.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Adventure

In April 1912, Evan Davies made the decision to board the RMS Titanic, a choice that would ultimately seal his fate. Here are the details of his journey:

• Embarkation point: Southampton
• Passenger class: Third-class
• Ticket number: SC/A4 23568
• Ticket cost: £8, 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)
• Traveling companion: His uncle, William John Rogers, also a miner from Pontardawe

What was Davies’ destination?

While Evan boarded the Titanic at Southampton, his final destination remains unknown. Many third-class passengers were emigrating to North America in search of better opportunities, but without concrete evidence, we can only speculate about Davies’ intentions for this voyage.

The Tragic Sinking and Aftermath

A Life Cut Short

Evan Davies, at the young age of 22, perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. The circumstances of his final moments remain unknown, as was the case for many third-class passengers who faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats.

Recovery Efforts

Despite extensive efforts to recover and identify victims of the disaster, Evan Davies’ body, if recovered, was never identified. This lack of closure was a common and painful reality for many families of Titanic victims.

Remembering Evan Davies

A Memorial in Wales

Although Evan Davies’ final resting place remains unknown, his memory lives on in his homeland:

• A headstone in Seion Newydd churchyard, Morriston, Swansea, Wales, commemorates both Evan Davies and his uncle, William John Rogers
• This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters

Legacy

Evan Lewis Davies’ story, though tragically short, serves as a reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. His journey from the coal mines of Wales to the decks of the ill-fated ship highlights the aspirations and risks taken by many young people of his era in search of new opportunities. Today, Davies is remembered not only as a victim of the Titanic but as a representation of the countless individuals whose lives and potential were cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.