John Davies

Who was Mr John Davies?

Mr John Davies was a 22-year-old English ironworker who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in Sedgley, Staffordshire in the spring of 1890, Davies was one of nine children in a working-class family. He embarked on the ill-fated voyage with his brothers and uncle, seeking a better life in America, but became one of the many victims of the historic maritime disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Large Staffordshire Family

John Davies was born into a bustling household in Sedgley, Staffordshire. His parents were:

• Father: Richard James Davies (born 1859), a puddler (iron worker)
• Mother: Mary Ann Cox (born 1864)

The couple married in 1885 and went on to have nine children:

1. William (born 1886)
2. Alfred (born 1888)
3. John (born 1890)
4. Richard (born 1892)
5. Joseph (born 1895)
6. Alice May (born 1898)
7. Matilda Doris (born 1902, later Mrs Peter Schroff)
8. Mary Gladys (born 1904, later Mrs Charles Benedict)
9. Arthur (born 1907)

Childhood and Relocations

John’s early years were marked by several moves within the Staffordshire area:

• 1891: The family resided at 3 Woodcross Street, Sedgley
• 1901: They relocated to West Bromwich, living at 131 Bak (?) Lane
• 1911: The Davies family settled at 29 Harwood Street, West Bromwich

Career and Aspirations

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

Like his father, John Davies pursued a career in ironworking. By the time of the 1911 census, at the age of 21 (twenty-one), he was described as a puddler (iron worker), continuing the family tradition in the industrial heart of England.

The American Dream

John’s elder brother William had emigrated to the United States around 1905, settling in Pontiac, Michigan. Another brother followed suit around Christmas 1911. Inspired by their success and the promise of a better life, John, along with his brothers Alfred and Joseph, and their uncle James Lester (husband of their mother’s sister Alice), decided to make the journey across the Atlantic.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Hurried Departure

The Davies brothers and their uncle began their journey on April 9, 1912, leaving West Bromwich for Southampton. In a twist of fate, they miscalculated the train times and had to make a hasty departure by tram to Birmingham to catch a different train, setting the stage for their eventual boarding of the Titanic.

Aboard the Titanic

Titanic Details:

• Ticket Number: 48871 (joint)
• Class: 3rd Class
• Fare: £24 3s (shared between the four men)
• Embarked: Southampton

The four men boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. They wrote home from Southampton and Queenstown, describing their accommodations as “comfortable” and reporting an “enjoyable passage.”

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, all four men—John Davies, his brothers Alfred and Joseph, and their uncle James Lester—lost their lives in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912. John was just 22 (twenty-two) years old when he perished in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

A Father’s Sorrow

In the wake of the tragedy, the Davies family was left to grapple with their immense loss. Their father, in his grief, described the lost sons as “fine big lads” and “the best of sons,” a poignant testament to the character of John and his brothers.

Family Migration

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the American dream still beckoned for the Davies family:

• On February 16, 1913, John’s parents and remaining siblings emigrated to the USA
• They departed from Liverpool aboard the Carmania
• By the 1920s, the family had settled in Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan

The Davies Family in America

The family’s story in America continued:

• John’s father, Richard James Davies, died on October 4, 1926, in Clawson, Oakland
• His mother, Mary Ann, passed away sometime in the 1940s
• The last known surviving siblings were:
  • Matilda (died November 5, 1995, in Oakland, Michigan)
  • Arthur (died February 25, 1995, in Oakland, Michigan)

An Enduring Maritime Legacy

Mr John Davies’ story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. A young man of 22 (twenty-two), full of hope and ambition, embarking on a journey to a new life, only to have it tragically cut short. His tale, intertwined with those of his brothers and uncle, embodies the dreams and aspirations of countless immigrants who sought a better future aboard the ill-fated ship. Today, John Davies is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but as a symbol of the indomitable spirit of those who dared to cross the Atlantic in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.