Henry Sutehall JR - Titanic Universe

Who was Henry Sutehall Jr?

Henry Sutehall Jr was a 25-year-old (twenty-five) English coach trimmer and Titanic passenger who perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Born on July 23, 1886 in Fulham, Middlesex, Sutehall led an adventurous life marked by world travel and a fateful journey on the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Early Life and Family

Henry Sutehall Jr was born into a working-class family in London. His parents were:

Father: Henry Sutehall Sr. (born 1863), a plasterer by trade
Mother: Sarah Stanton (born 1864)

Henry was the eldest of five siblings:

Clara Jane (born 1888)
William (born 1890)
Ella (born 1896)
Edwin Elmer (born 1902)

A Transatlantic Move

In 1895, when Henry was just 9 years old, the Sutehall family made a life-changing decision. On March 16, they boarded the SS Paris at Southampton, embarking on a journey that would take them across the Atlantic to start a new life in Buffalo, New York.

Life in America

The Family Business

After settling in Buffalo, the Sutehall family put down roots:

Henry Sr. continued his trade as a plasterer, working on some of Buffalo’s finest new buildings
Sarah, Henry’s mother, operated the family’s corner store at 2852 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, a suburb of Buffalo

Henry’s Career

Following in his father’s footsteps of skilled craftsmanship, Henry Jr. became a “trimmer,” specializing in:

Installing upholstery in carriages
Repairing upholstery in early automobiles

It was at his workplace, E. E. Denniston’s in Buffalo, that Henry met Howard Albert Irwin, a Canadian-born man who would become his closest friend and travel companion.

The Grand Adventure

Setting Off on a World Tour

On January 1, 1910, at the age of 23, Henry embarked on what was meant to be a two-year world tour with his friend Howard Irwin. Their journey would take them:

Across the United States
To Australia
Through the Suez Canal
Across the Mediterranean Sea
To England
And finally back to New York and Buffalo

How They Funded Their Journey

The two friends were resourceful in funding their grand adventure:

They worked as trimmers when possible
Took on odd jobs, including picking peaches in California
Performed as musicians to earn extra money
Henry won a sweepstake, providing additional funds for their tour

A Romantic Interlude in Sydney

While in Sydney, Australia, Henry’s life took an unexpected turn. He fell deeply in love with a young woman and became engaged. Although her name remains unknown, Henry’s intentions were clear – he planned to return to Australia and marry her.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

After parting ways with Howard Irwin in Australia and a brief reunion in Durban, South Africa, Henry made his way to England. There, he spent time with relatives before boarding the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912.

Henry’s Titanic Details

Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 392076
Fare: £7 1s

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

The Sinking

Henry Sutehall Jr. did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

A Remarkable Discovery

In 1993, 81 years after the Titanic sank, recovery efforts at the wreck site unveiled a fascinating link to Henry’s story:

A steamer trunk belonging to Howard Irwin was retrieved
It contained love letters to Howard from Pearl Shuttle, a 21-year-old travelling musician
The trunk’s presence on the Titanic suggests that Henry was carrying some of Howard’s belongings

Legal Proceedings

Following Henry’s death:

His father was appointed Administrator of Henry’s estate
The family received $200 in damages from the White Star Line on March 14, 1916

Legacy

Henry Sutehall Jr’s life, though cut tragically short, was one of adventure, friendship, and romance. His story provides a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who perished on the Titanic. Today, he is remembered on his brother’s marker in Elmlawn Cemetery, Tonawanda, Erie County, New York, a lasting tribute to a young man whose journey ended far too soon.