James George Reed

Who was James George Reed?

James George Reed was an 18 (eighteen) year-old Welsh butcher who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Reed was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated voyage, embodying the hopes and dreams of many young immigrants seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic.

Early Life and Family Roots

Born on December 27, 1893, in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, James George Reed came from a working-class family deeply rooted in the Welsh industrial landscape. His father, James George Reed Sr. (born 1863), was a skilled boiler maker and shipbuilder, while his mother, Edith Rachel Thomas (born 1863), hailed from Carmarthenshire. The couple married in 1885, creating a loving home for their seven children.

James was part of a large family, with six siblings:

• Myra Rachel (1886-1971, later Mrs. Charles Simpson Kyd)
• William Henry (born 1887)
• Alexander (1890-1955)
• Mary Matilda (born 1891)
• Henry David (1895-1947)

Growing Up in Cardiff

Early Years and Education

Young James’s childhood unfolded against the backdrop of Cardiff’s bustling streets. The 1901 census places the Reed family at 100 Paget Street, Canton, Cardiff, where James likely spent his formative years. As he grew, James developed a strong connection to his community, regularly attending Sunday school at the local Trinity Methodist Church.

A Butcher’s Apprentice

By the time of the 1911 census, the Reed family had moved to a house named “Inglenook” on Sully Road, Penarth, Cardiff. It was during this period that James, then 17 (seventeen) years old, embarked on his career as a butcher. This skilled trade would have provided him with valuable experience and potentially opened doors for future opportunities.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did James board the Titanic?

On April 10, 1912, James George Reed boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. While his exact destination and reasons for travel remain a mystery, it’s likely he, like many young men of his time, was seeking adventure or better economic prospects in America.

Titanic Ticket Details

• Ticket Number: 362316
• Cost: £7, 5s (7 pounds, 5 shillings)
• Class: Third Class

The Tragic Sinking

Sadly, James George Reed did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. At just 18 (eighteen) years old, his promising life was cut short in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. If his body was recovered, it was never identified, leaving his family without the closure of a proper burial.

Remembering James George Reed

Memorial at Trinity Methodist Church

The impact of James’s loss on his community is evident in the brass plaque erected in his memory at Trinity Methodist Church. The poignant inscription reads:

IN MEMORY OF JAMES REED, AGED 18 YEARS WHO WAS DROWNED IN THE R.M.S. TITANIC DISASTER APRIL 15TH 1912 ERECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF HIS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

This touching tribute, created by his Sunday school classmates, speaks volumes about the young man’s character and the connections he forged within his community.

Family’s Continued Legacy

After the tragedy, James’s parents remained in Penarth:

• His father passed away on May 7, 1916, just four years after losing his son.
• His mother lived on until June 7, 1950, carrying the memory of her lost child for nearly four decades.

James is also remembered on his parents’ headstone in Penarth cemetery, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales (Section E, Plot 49), ensuring his name lives on alongside his family.

James George Reed’s Legacy

Though his life was brief, James George Reed’s story embodies the dreams and tragedies of many Titanic passengers. His journey from a butcher’s apprentice in Cardiff to a passenger on the world’s most famous ship reminds us of the individual lives behind the Titanic’s statistics. Today, James is remembered not just as a victim of a historic disaster, but as a young man full of potential, deeply connected to his faith and community, whose memory continues to touch hearts over a century later.