Henry Price Hodges - Titanic Universe

Who was Mr Henry Price Hodges?

Mr Henry Price Hodges was a 50-year-old (fifty-year-old) English musical instrument vendor who tragically perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1862, Hodges was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, traveling from Southampton to Boston to visit relatives. His life and death offer a poignant glimpse into the human stories behind the Titanic disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Herefordshire Beginning

Henry Price Hodges was born in early 1862 in Putley, Herefordshire, England. He was baptized on March 9 of that same year, marking the beginning of a life that would span five decades. His parents were Thomas Hodges, a gardener born in 1835, and Emily Rebecca Rose, also born in 1835. This union of a Herefordshire man and a Wiltshire woman would produce a family of eight children, with Henry being one of the eldest.

Siblings and Family Moves

Henry grew up in a bustling household, surrounded by seven known siblings:

George James (born 1860)
James John (born 1864)
Emily (born 1867)
Anne Mary Blanche (born 1870)
Alice (born 1872)
Thomas (born 1874)
Robert (born 1877)

The Hodges family was not content to stay in one place. Their journey took them from Herefordshire to Worcestershire around 1866, and then on to Gloucestershire. This nomadic lifestyle would have exposed young Henry to various parts of England, broadening his horizons from an early age.

Education and Early Career

Tewkesbury Grammar School

Henry’s education took place at Tewkesbury Grammar School, a venerable institution that would have provided him with a solid foundation for his future endeavors. The 1871 census places Henry and his family in the village of Northway near Tewkesbury, suggesting that this was where he spent his formative school years.

From Railway Clerk to Music Dealer

By 1881, Henry had already left home and was forging his own path. The census of that year lists him as a railway clerk living in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire. This early job in the railway industry might have sparked his interest in travel and transportation.

However, Henry’s true calling lay in the world of music. He eventually moved to Southampton and established himself as a music and pianoforte dealer. This career choice would define his professional life and provide for his growing family.

Marriage and Family Life

A Large and Growing Family

In late 1884, Henry married Ellen Almy, a native of Dorset. Their union would prove to be fruitful, with the couple welcoming eleven children over the course of their marriage:

Roland Almy (1884-1893)
Gordon (1886-1965)
Stella (1887-1966)
Archibald Harry (1888-1958)
Harold Herbert (1889-1905)
Frank Stanley (1890-1956)
Cyril Augustine (1893-1910)
Hubert Selwyn (1895-1972)
Henry Price (1899-1973)
Leo Cecil Vernon (1902-1971)
Arnold Richard (1906-1975)

A Prosperous Household

The 1891 census paints a picture of the Hodges family living at 102 St Mary Street in Southampton. By this time, Henry had established himself as a dealer in musical instruments, a profession that seemed to provide well for his large family.

By 1911, the family had moved to a substantial 13-room house called “The Cotswolds” on Highfield Lane, Portswood, Southampton. This upgrade in living quarters suggests that Henry’s business was thriving, allowing him to provide a comfortable life for his wife and children.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

In April 1912, Henry Price Hodges boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number 250643, cost £13, a significant sum at the time. The purpose of his journey was to visit relatives in Boston, a trip that sadly, he would never complete.

A Letter from Queenstown

During the Titanic’s brief stop in Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, Hodges penned a letter to Mr. Hector Young of the Newtown Conservative Association in Southampton. This letter, posted from Queenstown, provides a fascinating glimpse into the early stages of the voyage:

“We’ve had a fine time up to now. You don’t notice anything of the movement of the ship. OK on top deck there are twenty boys marching round and singing. Others are playing cards and dominoes; some are reading and some writing. Everything is quite different to what we thought to see at sea.”

These words, filled with optimism and wonder, would be among the last Henry ever wrote.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

Recovery and Identification

Tragically, Henry Hodges did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, designated as body #149. The description of his remains and effects paints a poignant picture of the man:

NO. 149. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 52. HAIR, FAIR.
CLOTHING - Dark suit.
EFFECTS - Card case; £40 in notes in case; gold ring; 4 gold studs;
gold watch and chain; gun metal watch; gold charm; pocket knife;
keys; 7s. in silver; £5 in gold.
NAME - P. HODGES

Final Resting Place

Henry Price Hodges was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 10, 1912. His grave, number 149, stands as a somber reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster.

Legacy and Remembrance

Financial Aftermath

Henry’s estate, valued at £16,694 5s 3d, was administered to his widow, Ellen. This substantial sum (equivalent to over £2 million in 2023) indicates that Henry had been quite successful in his business endeavors.

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