Harry Bartram Faunthorpe

Who was Harry Bartram Faunthorpe?

Harry Bartram Faunthorpe was a 31-year-old (thirty-one) English passenger who perished in the Titanic disaster. Born on October 30, 1880, in Scotter, Lincolnshire, Faunthorpe was a furniture salesman who boarded the ill-fated ship as a second-class passenger, embarking on what would be his final journey.

Early Life and Family

Harry Faunthorpe grew up in a large farming family in rural Lincolnshire. His parents, William Bartram Faunthorpe and Bethiana Ouzman, were both natives of the county and had married in 1866. Harry was the youngest son among eight siblings:

Joseph Arthur (1869-1929)
Frederick William (1871-1955)
Mary Ann (b. 1873)
Luther Ouzman (1876-1954)
Florence Flavia (1877-1936)
Albert Ernest (1879-1955)
Marjorie Amelia (b. 1885)

Growing up on a farm, Harry’s early years were shaped by rural life in late Victorian England. His father was described in the 1881 census as a farmer of 26 acres, providing a modest but stable upbringing for the Faunthorpe children.

Education and Early Career

While details of Harry’s formal education are scarce, his career path suggests he received a basic education typical of the time. By the turn of the century, young Harry had ventured beyond the family farm to forge his own path.

The 1901 census provides our first glimpse of Harry’s professional life:

Occupation: Grocer’s assistant
Location: Bourne, Lincolnshire

This entry marks the beginning of Harry’s career in retail, a field he would continue to pursue in the years to come.

A Rising Career in Furniture Sales

By 1911, Harry had made significant strides in his career:

Occupation: Furniture salesman
Residence: 70 Park Street, Grimsby (boarding)
Marital Status: Unmarried

His move to Grimsby, a larger town on the east coast of England, likely offered more opportunities in the retail sector. Harry’s position as a furniture salesman at the Bon Marche on Cleethorpe Road represented a step up from his earlier role as a grocer’s assistant.

Described as an “ardent Conservative,” Harry was more than just a salesman. His political engagement is evidenced by his shareholding in the New Cleethorpes Constitutional Club, suggesting a man keen to establish himself in local business and social circles.

The Titanic Journey: A Fateful Decision

In late 1911, Harry’s life took an unexpected turn:

December 1911: Left his position at Bon Marche
Destination: Manchester

It was in Manchester that Harry’s personal life became entangled with that of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Anne Wilkinson, a married woman who would become his traveling companion on the Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details:

Ticket Number: 2926
Ticket Cost: £26
Class: Second Class
Port of Embarkation: Southampton

Harry and Lizzie boarded the Titanic under the guise of a married couple, telling fellow passengers they were embarking on a honeymoon to California. This deception added a layer of intrigue to their ill-fated journey.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Harry Faunthorpe, like many male second-class passengers, did not survive the sinking. His body, however, was recovered by the Mackay Bennett, identified as Body No. 286.

Recovery Details:

Body Number: 286
Estimated Age: 36 (actually 31)
Physical Description: Dark hair, going bald
Clothing: Green raincoat, grey coat and vest, blue pants, white waistcoat with stripe
Personal Effects: 6 gold and diamond rings, sovereign case, spectacles, gold watch chain and seal, silver watch, and various other items

The recovery of his body provides a poignant snapshot of Harry’s personal style and possessions, painting a picture of a well-dressed man of some means.

Legacy and Remembrance

Harry Faunthorpe’s body was forwarded to ‘Mrs. Faunthorpe’ (presumably Lizzie Wilkinson) in Philadelphia. He was laid to rest on May 11, 1912, in an unmarked grave at Mount Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia (Section N, Lot 371, Grave 2).

The tragedy of the Titanic had far-reaching effects on the Faunthorpe family:

Harry’s mother died in 1918
His father passed away in 1925
Both parents spent their final years in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

The fate of Elizabeth Anne Wilkinson remains unclear, though it’s believed she returned to England after the disaster.

Harry Bartram Faunthorpe’s story, while tragic, offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of an ordinary Englishman caught up in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. His journey from a Lincolnshire farm to the decks of the Titanic encapsulates the social mobility and adventurous spirit of the Edwardian era, cut short by a night of unimaginable tragedy.