George William Mackay

Who was George William Mackay?

George William Mackay was a young Scottish servant who tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster at the age of 20 (twenty) years old. Born in the rural highlands of Scotland, Mackay sought opportunity in London before embarking on a fateful journey to America aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Early Life and Family

A Highland Upbringing

George William Mackay was born on January 5, 1892, in Tongue, Sutherland, Scotland. He was one of at least a dozen children born to William MacKay, a crofter and general labourer, and Christina Gunn, both natives of Tongue. The MacKay family lived in ‘Glaickbea’, Skerray, a small crofting community in Tongue, where young George spent his early years.

A Large Scottish Family

The MacKay household was bustling with children. Some of George’s known siblings included:

• Mary (b. 1883)
• Georgia (b. 1886)
• Janet (b. 1889)
• Jane (b. 1890)
• Jamesina (b. 1894)
• Donald (b. 1895)
• Angusina (b. 1896)
• Alexander (b. 1900)

From Highland Crofter to London Servant

Seeking New Opportunities

As George grew older, it became apparent that the life of a Highland crofter might not be his calling. Seeking better prospects, he made the bold decision to leave his rural roots behind and venture to the bustling metropolis of London.

A Footman in Kensington

By 1911, at the age of 19 (nineteen), George had secured a position as a footman in one of London’s most affluent neighborhoods. The 1911 census records him residing at 11 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London, in the household of Edward Montefiore Micholls, a barrister, and his family. This move from the Scottish Highlands to the heart of London showcased George’s ambition and adaptability.

The Fateful Journey

Why was George Mackay on the Titanic?

George Mackay boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a third-class passenger. His ultimate destination was Rochester, New York, though the exact reasons for his journey remain unclear. It’s believed that he may have been following in the footsteps of several siblings who had already emigrated to the United States, possibly settling in Detroit.

Titanic Details

• Ticket Number: 42795
• Ticket Price: £11 7s
• Class: 3rd Class

A Mother’s Premonition

In a chilling twist of fate, it’s reported that just a week before George sailed on the Titanic, his mother had a dream foretelling that she would lose one of her children. This premonition would tragically come true in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

The Titanic Disaster and George’s Fate

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank, claiming the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew. George William Mackay, at just 20 (twenty) years old, was among those who perished in the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Remembering George William Mackay

A Memorial in Tongue

Though George’s body was never returned to his homeland, his memory lives on in Torrisdale Cemetery, Skerray, Tongue. A touching headstone, funded by his friends and colleagues in London, stands as a testament to the young man’s impact on those who knew him. The inscription reads:

Erected IN LOVING MEMORY OF GEORGE WILLIAM MACKAY GLAICKBEA SON OF WILLIAM AND CHRISTINA MACKAY WHO WAS LOST IN THE TITANIC DISASTER, 15TH APRIL 1912 AGED 20 YEARS “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD,” MATT V, VIII PUT UP BY HIS FRIENDS IN LONDON

This memorial not only honors George’s life but also showcases the strong connections he forged during his time in London.

Legacy and Family After the Disaster

The loss of George deeply affected the Mackay family. His father, William, passed away in 1916, just four years after the Titanic disaster. His mother, Christina, lived on until 1932, carrying the memory of her lost son for two decades.

Remarkably, George’s sister Angusina lived to the impressive age of 102, passing away in 1998. As the last known surviving sibling, she carried the family’s connection to the Titanic tragedy well into the late 20th century.

George William Mackay’s story, though tragically cut short, serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual lives affected by the Titanic disaster. From the highlands of Scotland to the grandeur of London and ultimately to the ill-fated decks of the Titanic, George’s journey embodies the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of opportunity that characterized many of the ship’s passengers, making his loss all the more poignant in the annals of Titanic history.