Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles

Who was Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles?

Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles was a Roman Catholic priest who gained recognition for his heroic actions during the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on February 26, 1870, in Headingley, England, Byles was 42 (forty-two) years old when he boarded the ill-fated ship as a second-class passenger. He was traveling to New York to officiate his brother’s wedding but tragically perished in the disaster, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and devotion to his faith.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Thomas Roussel Davids Byles was born into a family with strong religious ties. He was the eldest of seven children born to Louisa Davids and Alfred Holden Byles. His father, Reverend Dr. Alfred Holden Byles, was a congregational Minister and successful businessman who served as the first pastor of Headingley Hill Congregational Church in Leeds.

The Byles family had notable connections:

• An uncle, Mr. F. Byles, lived in Bradford
• Another uncle, Sir William Pollard Byles (1839-1917), was a radical social reformer and Member of Parliament for Salford North
• One of Roussel’s sisters became a missionary in China

Educational Journey

Byles received a comprehensive education that shaped his future path:

1. Leamington College
2. Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire (1885-1889)
   • Achieved status of ‘scholar’ and school monitor for Crescent House
3. Balliol College, Oxford (1889-1894)
   • Studied mathematics, modern history, and theology
   • Served as Vice-President of the Arnold Society (a select undergraduate debating society)
   • Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1894

Conversion and Priesthood

Embracing Catholicism

While studying at Oxford, Byles underwent a significant spiritual transformation by converting to Catholicism. This decision would shape the rest of his life and career.

Early Career and Further Studies

After his conversion, Byles embarked on a path of religious education and service:

1. 1895: Began working as a Master at St Edmund’s College, Ware, Hertfordshire (a boys’ school and Roman Catholic seminary)
2. 1897: Published his only known work, ‘A School Commentary on 2nd Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians’
3. 1899: Traveled to Rome to study for the priesthood
4. 1901: Received a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) from Gregorian University
5. June 15, 1902: Ordained as a priest
6. 1903: Completed his studies in Rome
7. 1905-1912: Served as the Roman Catholic Rector of Ongar, Essex

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

Fr Byles boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. His second-class ticket (number 244310) cost £13. Originally scheduled to travel on another White Star liner, he switched to the Titanic at the last minute.

Purpose of Travel

Byles was en route to New York to officiate at his younger brother William’s wedding. William had also converted to Catholicism and had moved to America to run a rubber business.

Experiences Aboard

During the voyage, Fr Byles wrote a letter to his housekeeper, Miss Field, describing his initial impressions:

• Found the ship’s vibration unpleasant
• Noted the sea appeared rough, but it didn’t affect the ship’s stability
• Mentioned meeting two other priests in second class: a Benedictine from Bavaria and a secular priest from Lithuania

Ministry on the Titanic

On the morning of Sunday, April 14, Fr Byles conducted Catholic masses:

1. For second-class passengers in their lounge
2. For third-class passengers, delivering a sermon in English and French

According to The Evening World, Fr Byles and another priest preached on the need for a “lifeboat in the shape of religious consolation at hand in case of spiritual shipwreck” - a eerily prescient message given the events that would unfold that night.

Heroic Actions During the Sinking

As the Titanic began to sink, Fr Byles demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion:

• Helped third-class passengers up the stairs and into lifeboats
• Heard confessions and prayed with those unable to escape
• Offered words of comfort and encouragement to women and children as they boarded lifeboats
• Reportedly refused offers of a seat in a lifeboat, choosing instead to stay and minister to those left behind

A survivor, Miss Bertha Moran, recalled in The Evening World on April 22, 1912:

“Continuing the prayers, he led us to where the boats were being lowered. Helping the women and children in, he whispered to them words of comfort and encouragement.”

Legacy and Memorials

Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles perished in the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. However, his memory and the impact of his actions live on:

1. A memorial card was created in his honor
2. His brother’s wedding proceeded with another priest officiating, followed by a memorial mass
3. Later in 1912, William and his wife Katherine traveled to Rome, where they had a private audience with the Pope, who declared Fr Byles a martyr for the Church
4. A door installed by his brothers at the Roman Catholic Church in Chipping Ongar, Essex, stands as a memorial
5. A memorial photograph hangs in the same church

Fr Byles’ selfless actions during the Titanic disaster exemplify the highest ideals of his faith and humanity. His story continues to inspire, serving as a testament to courage, compassion, and unwavering devotion in the face of catastrophe.