George John Sage

Who was George John Sage?

George John Sage was a 19 (nineteen) year-old English barman and aspiring pecan farmer who tragically perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born into a large family in London, Sage’s life was cut short during a pivotal journey that was meant to start a new chapter for him and his loved ones in America.

Early Life and Family

George John Sage was born on July 2, 1892, at 253 Queen’s Road, Hackney, London, England. He was baptized on July 24 of the same year at St Mark’s Church, Dalston. George was one of nine children born to John George Sage, a corn chandler from Hackney, and Elizabeth Ann Cazaly, originally from Wolverhampton, Staffordshire.

Siblings and Family Dynamics

The Sage family was a large and close-knit one. George’s siblings included:

• Stella Anna (b. 1891)
• Douglas Bullen (b. 1893)
• Frederick (b. 1895)
• Dorothy Florence (b. 1897)
• Anthony William (b. 1899)
• Elizabeth Ada (b. 1901)
• Constance Gladys (b. 1904)
• Thomas Henry (b. 1907)

From London to Norfolk: The Family’s Journey

Around the turn of the century, the Sage family moved from London to Norfolk. This move marked a significant change in their lives, as they transitioned from urban living to a more rural setting.

A New Home and Profession

By 1901, the family had settled in Gaywood, Norfolk. Here, they lived at the New Inn, where George’s father worked as a publican. This change in profession from corn chandler to publican likely brought new experiences and challenges for young George and his siblings.

Coming of Age in Peterborough

Where did George Sage work as a young man?

By 1911, the Sage family had relocated once again, this time to 246 Gladstone Street in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. It was here that George began his working life in earnest. While his father had taken up baking, George found employment as a domestic coachman. He also spent some time working at the prestigious Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough, where he likely honed his skills in hospitality.

A Taste of Adventure: The Canadian Expedition

On April 29, 1911, George and his father embarked on an adventure that would change the course of their lives. They boarded the Allan Line’s Pomeranian in London, bound for Québec, Canada. Their ultimate destination was Winnipeg, Manitoba, where both father and son found work as cooks with the Central Pacific Railway.

From Cooks to Entrepreneurs

After several months of hard work in Canada, George and his father had saved enough money to pursue a new venture. They purchased a fruit farm in Jacksonville, Florida, with the intention of cultivating pecans. This bold move demonstrated the Sage family’s entrepreneurial spirit and their willingness to take risks for a better future.

Romance in Florida

While in Jacksonville, George’s life took another exciting turn. He reportedly became engaged to a local girl, though her identity remains a mystery to this day. This engagement hints at the personal connections George was forming in America and the life he might have led had fate not intervened.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Sage family board the Titanic?

The Sage family’s plans to travel to America aboard the Philadelphia were derailed due to a coal strike. As a result, they were forced to book passage on the RMS Titanic. On April 10, 1912, after bidding farewell to well-wishers, the entire family boarded a train to Southampton and embarked on the Titanic as third-class passengers.

Titanic Ticket Details:

• Ticket Number: 2343
• Cost: £69, 11s
• Class: Third Class

The Tragic Sinking

As the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, the Sage family’s dreams of a new life in America were shattered. Reports suggest that the family managed to reach the deck in the final moments before the ship sank. In a heartbreaking turn of events, George’s sister Stella reportedly entered a lifeboat but chose to leave when other family members couldn’t join her.

A Family Lost

Tragically, all eleven members of the Sage family, including 19-year-old George, perished in the sinking. In a cruel twist of fate, only the body of Anthony William Sage was recovered from the icy Atlantic waters.

George John Sage’s Legacy

George John Sage’s life, though cut short, serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic. His journey from London to Canada, and his plans for a new life in Florida, exemplify the spirit of adventure and hope that drove many to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic.

The story of George and the Sage family continues to captivate Titanic historians and enthusiasts, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of the disaster. Their tale of familial loyalty, even in the face of certain death, remains one of the most heart-wrenching narratives to emerge from the Titanic tragedy.