Francis Parkes

Who was Mr Francis Parkes?

Mr Francis Parkes, known as Frank, was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Irish plumber who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Belfast, he was part of the prestigious “guarantee group” from Harland and Wolff, selected to oversee the smooth operation of the Titanic during its maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family

Francis Parkes was born on November 8, 1890, at 9 Castlereagh Place in Belfast, Ireland. He was the son of James Parkes, a native of Co Tyrone who worked as an advertising agent and later as a school attendance officer, and Elizabeth Parkes (née Jervis), originally from Downpatrick, Co Down. The couple married on June 3, 1885.

Growing up in a Church of Ireland household, Francis was one of seven children:

Matthew James (born January 5, 1887)
Robert George (born February 7, 1889)
Francis (born November 8, 1890)
Charles (born June 6, 1893)
William Frederick (born September 14, 1895)
Elizabeth Mary (born July 21, 1898)
Violet Maud (born October 6, 1901)

Education and Early Career

What was Francis Parkes’ profession?

Francis Parkes followed in the footsteps of several of his brothers by joining Harland & Wolff, Belfast’s renowned shipbuilding company. He trained as a plumber, starting as an apprentice. The 1911 census describes Francis as an “apprentice plumber,” indicating his dedication to learning his trade from a young age.

Life in Belfast

The Parkes family’s life in Belfast can be traced through census records:

1901: The family resided at 76 Richardson Street, off the Ormeau Road in South Belfast.
1911: They had moved to 25 Agincourt Avenue, Cromac, Belfast.

During this time, Francis worked alongside his brothers at Harland & Wolff, while his father held an official position within Belfast City Council.

Maiden Voyage of the Olympic

Before his fateful journey on the Titanic, Francis Parkes had already experienced a significant maritime event. He was aboard the RMS Olympic for her maiden voyage, arriving in New York on June 21, 1911. This experience likely contributed to his selection for the Titanic’s guarantee group.

What did Francis Parkes look like?

Immigration papers from his Olympic voyage provide a vivid description of Francis:

Height: 5 feet 8½ inches tall
Hair color: Brown
Distinguishing feature: Missing the first finger of his right hand

The Titanic Journey

Why was Francis Parkes on the Titanic?

In April 1912, Francis Parkes joined the elite nine-member “guarantee group” of Harland and Wolff employees. This group was specially chosen to oversee the smooth operation of the Titanic during its maiden voyage. Their presence on board was a testament to the shipbuilder’s confidence in their vessel and their commitment to ensuring its success.

Tragic Fate

Sadly, Francis Parkes, along with his colleagues in the guarantee group, perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was just 21 (twenty-one) years old. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The tragedy of the Titanic had a lasting impact on the Parkes family:

Francis’ parents continued to live at 25 Agincourt Avenue for several years after the disaster.
His father, James Parkes, died at the family home on December 16, 1918, from pneumonia.
The fate of his mother, Elizabeth, remains uncertain, but records show she was no longer living at 25 Agincourt Avenue after 1931.

Francis Parkes’ story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster, particularly those skilled workers who were integral to the ship’s creation and operation. His legacy lives on as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage and the impact it had on families and communities in Belfast and beyond.