Hudson Trevor Allison

Who was Master Hudson Trevor Allison?

Master Hudson Trevor Allison was a Canadian infant who became one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic disaster. Born into a wealthy family, his life was forever changed by the tragic events of April 1912, which left him an orphan at just 11 months old.

Early Life and Family

Hudson Trevor Allison was born on May 7, 1911, in Westmount, Quebec, Canada. He was the second child and only son of Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison and Bess Waldo Allison, a prominent Canadian couple. Trevor, as he was commonly known, had an older sister named Helen Loraine Allison.

A Family’s Fateful Journey

Shortly after Trevor’s birth, the Allison family embarked on a journey to England for business purposes. It was during this trip that young Trevor was baptized, marking an important milestone in his brief life before the family’s return voyage to North America.

The Titanic Voyage

Who accompanied Trevor on the Titanic?

Trevor boarded the RMS Titanic with his family as first-class passengers. His traveling companions included:

• Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison (father)
• Bess Waldo Allison (mother)
• Helen Loraine Allison (sister)
• Alice Catherine Cleaver (nurse)

The family’s accommodations were luxurious, befitting their status. They occupied cabin C22/26, one of the most expensive on the ship.

Ticket and Fare Details

• Ticket Number: 113781
• Fare: £151 16s (equivalent to approximately $26,000 in 2023)

The Night of the Disaster

How was Trevor rescued?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, chaos ensued. In the midst of this turmoil, Trevor’s nurse, Alice Cleaver, acted swiftly to save the infant’s life. She took Trevor and boarded Lifeboat 11, ensuring his survival.

“Alice Cleaver rescued Trevor in lifeboat 11, but it is unclear if Bess and Hudson knew that he had been taken off the ship.”

This moment of quick thinking by Alice Cleaver would prove to be the pivotal action that saved Trevor’s life, while tragically, the rest of his immediate family perished in the disaster.

The Aftermath and Trevor’s Later Life

What happened to Trevor after the Titanic sinking?

Following the sinking, baby Trevor, now an orphan at less than a year old, returned to Canada. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, George and Lillian Allison, who took on the responsibility of caring for the young survivor.

Trevor’s Untimely Death

Tragically, Trevor’s life was cut short. He died on August 7, 1929, at the young age of 18 (eighteen) years old in Maine, USA. The cause of death was reported as ptomaine poisoning, a term used at the time to describe food poisoning.

Legacy and Remembrance

Trevor Allison’s story remains one of the most poignant from the Titanic disaster. As one of the youngest survivors, he symbolized both the tragedy of lives cut short and the miraculous nature of survival against overwhelming odds.

Final Resting Place

In a touching tribute to his family legacy, Trevor was laid to rest beside his father in Chesterville, Ontario. This final act united him with the family he lost as an infant, bringing a sense of closure to his remarkable yet brief life story.

Trevor Allison’s life, though short, serves as a lasting reminder of the Titanic’s impact on families and the far-reaching consequences of that fateful night in April 1912. His survival, orphaning, and eventual passing encapsulate the complex legacy of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.