Frank Hubert Maybery

Who was Frank Hubert Maybery?

Frank Hubert Maybery was an English property developer and real estate agent who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1875, he was a successful businessman who had established himself in Canada before returning to England due to his wife’s health concerns. His untimely death at the age of 36 (thirty-six) on April 15, 1912, left behind a pregnant wife and two young daughters.

Early Life and Family

Frank Hubert Maybery was born on November 30, 1875, in the district of St Mathew’s, Ipswich, England. He was the son of Valentine William Maybery, a Congregational Minister, and Clara Susan Maybery (née Sinnock). Tragically, Frank lost both his parents at a young age; his father passed away in 1876, and his mother in 1879.

Siblings and Upbringing

Frank was one of five siblings:

Annie (1870-1966)
Alfred (1872-1846)
Arnold (1874-1957)
Frank Hubert (1875-1912)
Winifred (1877-1961)

Following the untimely deaths of their parents, the Maybery children were raised by their maternal aunt, Eliza Mary Gibbons (1837-1913), and her husband Williams Gibbons (1835-1897). Williams Gibbons was a provision merchant and Wesleyan minister who founded the Brookland Chapel in Bristol in 1888.

Early Career and Business Ventures

Provision Merchants in Bristol

Frank and his brothers initially went into business with their uncle as provision merchants in Bristol. However, their early business endeavors were not without controversy. In 1899, the Maybery brothers were convicted and fined for supplying 20 dozen tins of “Golden Syrup” that were largely composed of glucose, rather than pure syrup.

Move to Canada and Real Estate Success

Between 1905 and 1907, Frank Maybery, along with his siblings and aunt Eliza Gibbons, emigrated to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. This move marked a significant turning point in Frank’s career. The Maybery brothers established a successful real estate agency, Maybery’s Ltd., which specialized in selling farmland in the rapidly growing city of Moose Jaw.

What was Frank Maybery’s reputation in Moose Jaw?

Frank and his brothers quickly became respected members of the Moose Jaw community. They were active members of St Andrews Presbyterian Church and were remembered as men of “religious habit, definite and clear in thought and deed.” This reputation speaks to their character and the impact they had on their adopted home.

Marriage and Family Life

On June 10, 1907, Frank married Frances Ella Hadfield at the Greenacres Chapel in Oldham, Lancashire. The couple returned to Canada and started their family. They had two daughters during Frank’s lifetime:

Joyce Noelle (1908-1929)
Ruth Enid (1910-2003)

Health Concerns and Return to England

Frank’s wife, Ella, suffered from a serious eye complaint. This health issue prompted the family to return to England in 1911, seeking better medical treatment. They arrived in Southampton aboard the Adriatic on May 25, 1911, and settled in Weston-Super-Mare.

Titanic Journey and Tragic Fate

Why was Frank Maybery returning to Canada?

In January 1912, Frank’s brother Alfred was elected Mayor of Moose Jaw. This development led to Frank being called back to Canada to manage the family business while Alfred attended to his civic duties. Despite having his family settled in England, Frank may have intended to finalize his affairs in Canada.

Boarding the Titanic

Frank Maybery boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket number was 239059, and he paid £16 for his passage. At Queenstown, he was joined by a family friend, Rev. Charles Kirkland.

The Sinking and Aftermath

Tragically, Frank Maybery did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. In a bittersweet turn of events, Frank’s third daughter, Nancy Frances, was born on December 3, 1912, almost eight months after her father’s death.

Legacy and Family’s Fate

The loss of Frank Maybery had a lasting impact on his family:

Joyce Maybery, his eldest daughter, died at the young age of 20 in 1929.
Ruth Enid, his second daughter, lived until 2003.
Nancy Frances, the daughter he never met, lived to be 100 years old, passing away in 2013.
Frances Ella Maybery, Frank’s widow, died on December 7, 1968, at the age of 88.

Frank Hubert Maybery’s life, though cut short at 36 (thirty-six) years old, was marked by entrepreneurial success, family dedication, and a tragic twist of fate. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster, leaving behind legacies that span generations.