Georgette Alexandra Madill

Who was Miss Georgette Alexandra Madill?

Miss Georgette Alexandra Madill was a 16-year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on March 15, 1896, in St. Louis, Missouri, she was the daughter of a distinguished jurist and embarked on a life of adventure and travel after her Titanic experience. Georgette went on to become a Red Cross worker, world traveler, and later married into British nobility.

Early Life and Family

A Privileged Upbringing

Georgette was born into a prominent family in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, George Alexander Madill (1838-1901), was a distinguished jurist of Irish heritage. Her mother, Elisabeth Walton McMillan (1868-1956), came from a family with strong ties to the clergy. Georgette’s early years were marked by tragedy and change:

Her father passed away on December 11, 1901, when Georgette was only 5 years old.
Her mother remarried on January 3, 1904, to Edward Scott Robert, a lawyer and close friend of her late father.
The family resided at 4140 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis, a testament to their social standing.

Family Connections

Georgette’s family tree was rich with notable connections:

She had two half-brothers from her father’s first marriage: George (1867-1889) and Charles (1873-1916).
Her maternal grandfather was John Quincy McMillan (1826-1882), a clergyman.
Her cousin, Elisabeth Walton Allen, would later accompany Georgette on the fateful Titanic voyage.

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Madills on the Titanic?

In 1912, Georgette and her mother decided to take a vacation to Europe, hoping to quell their sorrows after the recent loss of Georgette’s stepfather. For their return journey to America, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic, departing from Southampton.

Titanic Travel Details

Ticket Number: 24160
Ticket Cost: £211, 6s, 9d
Cabin: B5
Class: First Class

Traveling with Georgette and her mother were:

Elisabeth Walton Allen (Georgette’s cousin)
Emilie Kreuchen (her mother’s maid)

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Georgette’s experience was one of fortunate survival:

She was rescued alongside her mother, cousin, and maid in lifeboat 2.
This lifeboat was one of the last to be launched from the ship, at around 1:45 am.

Life After the Titanic

A Spirit Unbroken

Remarkably, Georgette’s harrowing experience on the Titanic did not dampen her spirit for adventure. Instead, it seemed to ignite a passion for travel and humanitarian work:

In 1917, at the age of 21, she embarked on a trip to Japan and China.
By 1919, her travels had taken her as far as Siberia.
Throughout the 1920s, she extensively toured Europe, visiting Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Britain.

Red Cross Service

Georgette channeled her energy into active work for the Red Cross, which likely influenced her extensive travels during and after World War I.

A Close Bond with Mother

Even as an adult, Georgette maintained a close relationship with her mother:

They frequently traveled across the Atlantic together.
In September 1932, both were passengers aboard the Olympic, a sister ship to the Titanic.

Marriage and Later Life

A Noble Union

In October 1931, at the age of 35, Georgette married Alfred Joseph Anthony Alexander Gilbert Bagshawe Mattei in London. Her husband, better known as Anthony Bagshawe Mattei, was:

Born on November 16, 1902
The 2nd Marchese (Marquess) Mattei
A London-born barrister of Maltese heritage
Served as a Captain with the Intelligence Corps during World War II
Awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1944

Life in London

The couple made their home in some of London’s most affluent areas:

During the 1940s, they resided in Chelsea.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, they lived at 34 Montpelier Square, Westminster.

Georgette and Anthony remained childless throughout their marriage.

Physical Description and Later Years

Georgette’s 1917 passport provides a vivid description of her appearance:

Height: 5’ 7"
Hair color: Blonde
Eye color: Hazel
Complexion: Fair
Features: Medium

In her later years, Georgette reportedly became significantly overweight, presenting a stark contrast to her husband, who was described as “pencil thin.”

Final Years and Legacy

Georgette Alexandra Madill Mattei passed away on February 14, 1974, at the age of 77 (seventy-seven). She was laid to rest in Clevedon Cemetery, Old Church Road, North Somerset (Section B, Plot 102).

Her husband, Anthony, survived her by nearly two decades. He died on September 26, 1992, in Hove, Sussex. In a final act of devotion, his ashes were cremated at Weston Super Mare crematorium and buried alongside Georgette.

Georgette’s life, spanning from the Gilded Age through two World Wars and into the modern era, serves as a testament to the resilience and adventurous spirit of Titanic survivors. Her story continues to fascinate historians and Titanic enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the life of a young woman who faced tragedy and emerged to lead a life of travel, service, and aristocratic connections.