John Garfirth

Who was John Garfirth?

John Garfirth was a 22 (twenty-two) year old English shoemaker and Titanic passenger who tragically perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Born in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, Garfirth was known for his community involvement as an assistant scoutmaster and member of St. John’s Ambulance Corps. His journey on the Titanic was meant to be the start of a new life in Canada, but instead became his final voyage.

Early Life and Family

A Northamptonshire Upbringing

John Garfirth was born on October 24, 1889, in the quaint village of Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England. He was baptized shortly after on January 12, 1890, marking the beginning of his brief but impactful life. John was one of ten children born to George Garfirth, a dedicated gardener, and Ann Robinson, both natives of Northamptonshire who had married in 1868.

Family Composition

The Garfirth family was large and close-knit:

• Parents: George Garfirth (b. 1849) and Ann Robinson (b. 1850)
• Siblings:
  • John (1873-1873)
  • Thomas (1875-1958)
  • James (1877-1951)
  • Edward (1879-1947)
  • Ernest (1881-1955)
  • Herbert (1885-1956)
  • Alice (1887-1940, later Mrs. Walter Garfirth)
  • John (our subject, 1889-1912)
  • Alfred (1892-1965)
  • Leonard (1894-1918)

Childhood and Adolescence

John’s early years were spent on High Street in Wollaston, as recorded in the 1891 census. Tragedy struck the family in 1897 when John’s father, who had been a gardener for Mr. John Walker Watts for many years, passed away. This loss prompted the family’s move to Hinwick Road, also in Wollaston, where they appeared in both the 1901 and 1911 census records.

Career and Community Involvement

A Shoemaker’s Apprentice

By the time of the 1911 census, John had found his calling in the local boot industry. He was working as a pressman in a boot factory, a common occupation in Northamptonshire, an area renowned for its shoe manufacturing.

Commitment to Community Service

John Garfirth’s character was marked by his dedication to community service. He held two notable positions:

1. Assistant Scoutmaster of the Wollaston Troop
2. Member of St. John’s Ambulance Corps

These roles demonstrate John’s commitment to youth development and emergency medical services, painting a picture of a young man deeply invested in his community’s wellbeing.

The Fateful Journey

A Change of Plans

John Garfirth’s journey to the Titanic was a result of an unexpected turn of events. Initially, he and his close friend and neighbor, George Patchett, had planned to emigrate to Berlin, Ontario, where George’s brother had secured positions for both of them. Their original itinerary included sailing from Liverpool aboard the Empress of Ireland on April 5, 1912.

However, fate intervened:

• Coal strikes disrupted their travel plans
• Their train from Wellingborough Station ran late
• They were informed the train would go no further than Manchester

Boarding the Titanic

Disappointed but undeterred, John and George made the fateful decision to transfer their passage to the Titanic. On April 10, 1912, they boarded the ill-fated ship at Southampton as third-class passengers.

Ticket Details:

• Joint ticket number: 358585
• Cost: £14, 10s (£14.50 in decimal currency)

A Final Message

In the rush of boarding, John Garfirth managed to send one last communication to his family. He hurriedly wrote a postcard adorned with an illustration of the Titanic, containing only five poignant words:

“Too busy to write….”

Little did his family know that these would be the last words they would ever receive from John.

The Tragedy and Aftermath

Loss at Sea

John Garfirth, at the young age of 22 (twenty-two), perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. His friend and traveling companion, George Patchett, also lost his life in the disaster.

Family’s Continued Hardships

The Garfirth family faced further tragedies in the years following John’s death:

• John’s mother continued to live in Wollaston until her death in 1922
• His youngest brother, Leonard, fought in World War I with the 14th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
• Leonard was killed in action in France on March 27, 1918, adding another loss to the family’s history

Legacy

John Garfirth’s story, while brief, encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic. His community involvement, work ethic, and adventurous spirit in seeking new opportunities abroad paint a picture of a young man full of potential, cut short by one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Today, John Garfirth is remembered not only as a victim of the Titanic but as a representation of the countless lives changed forever by that fateful night in April 1912. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the tragedy and the unfulfilled promise of a generation lost to the icy waters of the North Atlantic.