Harold Victor Goodwin

Who was Master Harold Victor Goodwin?

Master Harold Victor Goodwin was a 10-year-old English boy who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on July 29, 1901, in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, Harold was part of a large family that embarked on a journey to start a new life in America. His story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Growing Family in Middlesex

Harold Victor Goodwin was born into a working-class family in the summer of 1901. His parents were:

• Frederick Joseph Goodwin (born 1870): A printer and compositor
• Augusta Tyler (born 1868): A native of Middlesex

The couple had married on December 25, 1894, and Harold was their fifth child. His siblings included:

• Lillian Augusta (born 1896)
• Charles Edward (born 1897)
• William Frederick (born 1898)
• Jessie Allis Mary (born 1900)
• Sidney Leslie (born 1910)

In the months leading up to Harold’s birth, the 1901 census recorded the family living at 4 Exeter Road, Edmonton, Middlesex.

Moving to Wiltshire

By the time of the 1911 census, the Goodwin family had relocated. Ten-year-old Harold was recorded as living at Watson Court, Watson’s Yard, High Street in Melksham, Wiltshire. This move suggests that the family may have been seeking better opportunities or work in a different region.

The Dream of a New Life

Why were the Goodwins traveling to America?

The Goodwin family’s journey to America was inspired by the success of Frederick’s siblings who had already emigrated and settled in Niagara, New York. Harold’s uncle, Thomas Goodwin, had informed the family of a promising job opportunity for Frederick at the large power station in Niagara. This prospect of a better life and stable employment motivated the family to make the momentous decision to emigrate.

How did the Goodwins finance their journey?

To fund their transatlantic voyage, the Goodwins borrowed money from several uncles and aunts. This financial support from extended family members highlights the close-knit nature of the Goodwin clan and their collective investment in the family’s future in America.

The Fateful Voyage

Change of Plans

“The family had originally planned to cross on another steamer but the coal strike changed their plans and they were transferred to the Titanic.”

This twist of fate would prove tragic for the Goodwin family. The coal strike of 1912 had disrupted many sailing schedules, leading to the family’s rebooking on the Titanic.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, the Goodwin family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: 2144
• Cost: £46, 18s (equivalent to approximately £5,500 in 2023)

This substantial sum for a working-class family in 1912 underscores the magnitude of their investment in this new beginning.

The Tragic Outcome

What happened to the Goodwin family?

Sadly, like many large families traveling in third class, particularly those with teenage boys, the entire Goodwin family perished in the sinking of the Titanic. The family’s location in the third-class section of the ship, combined with the chaos of the evacuation and the shortage of lifeboats, likely contributed to their inability to escape.

Was any member of the Goodwin family found?

In a heart-wrenching twist, only the body of baby Sidney, the youngest Goodwin child, was recovered. Tragically, Sidney’s remains went unidentified for many years, a testament to the difficulties in identifying victims of the disaster.

Remembering the Goodwins

A memorial to the Goodwin family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the dreams unfulfilled. This tribute in their former hometown speaks to the impact the family had on their community and the shock of their loss.

Harold Victor Goodwin’s story, though brief, encapsulates the hopes and tragedies of many Titanic passengers. At just 10 years old, he and his siblings represented the future that their parents were striving for – a future tragically cut short on that fateful night of April 15, 1912. Their tale serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster and the countless stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.