John Hall Lovell

Who was Mr John Hall Lovell?

Mr John Hall Lovell was a 20 (twenty) year-old English farmer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Hatherleigh, Devonshire in early 1892, Lovell was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Devonshire Upbringing

John Hall Lovell was born into a farming family in Devonshire, England. His parents were:

Father: John Lovell (born 1866), a farmer
Mother: Annie Hall Wivell (born 1873)

John was one of six siblings:

William Henry (born 1893)
Ernest Edmond (born 1897)
Mabel Annie (born 1898)
Elsie Gladys May (born 1900)
Leonard Stanley (born 1904)

The Lovell family’s life was marked by both joy and tragedy. In 1906, when John was just 14 (fourteen) years old, his mother Annie passed away at the young age of 33 (thirty-three). Three years later, in 1909, his father remarried to Jane Branch, a domestic cook also from Devonshire.

Home and Work

The 1901 census provides a glimpse into John’s childhood, showing the family residing at Lower Gorhuish in Northlew, Devonshire. By the time of the 1911 census, the family remained at Lower Gorhuish, but John had already begun his career as a farm hand, working in Bratton Clovelly, Devon.

What Led John Lovell to the Titanic?

John’s decision to board the Titanic was influenced by several factors:

Family Emigration: One of John’s brothers had emigrated around 1909, first to Calumet, Michigan, and then to Lakefield, Ontario. His brother’s encouragement played a part in John’s decision to travel to the USA.
Extended Family Connections: John was related through his uncle, William James Braund, to Lewis Richard Braund of Bridgerule, Devon. Lewis had left England at the turn of the century to farm in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Group Travel: John was part of a group of relatives who decided to make the journey together. This included:
- Owen Harris Braund
- Samuel Dennis
- William Dennis
- John Henry Perkin

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Ticket Details

John Lovell boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His ticket details were as follows:

Ticket Number: 21173
Cost: £7, 5s (7 pounds, 5 shillings)

Postcards from the Journey

Two postcards sent by John Lovell to family members in Halwill, Devon, provide a poignant glimpse into his excitement and experiences during the early stages of the voyage:

To his uncle, Mr William Wivell (from Southampton):

“Dear Uncle, Just writing a few lines to let you know that I have got to Southampton all right. We got at Southampton about 7.30 in the evening and we all lodge at the Alliance Hotel, I could not sleep that night I am not downhearted yet I am happy. J Lovell”

To his aunt, Miss Beatrice Wivell (from Queenstown):

“I am sending you a postcard of the Titanic. We started from Southampton about 12 o’clock last Wed. Sleep well the first night. I been on ship one and half I am not sea sick yet. I am enjoying myself fine. Good bye. J H Lovell”

These postcards offer a bittersweet insight into John’s optimism and excitement about his journey, unaware of the tragedy that lay ahead.

The Tragic End

Sadly, John Hall Lovell did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. At the young age of 20 (twenty), his life was cut short on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The loss of John Hall Lovell left a lasting impact on his family:

His father, John Lovell Sr., lived for many more years, passing away as a widower in 1943.
His stepmother, Jane, predeceased her husband, dying in 1936.

John Hall Lovell’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. His postcards, preserved through time, offer a unique and personal connection to one of the most famous maritime tragedies in history, giving voice to the hopes and dreams of a young man whose journey was tragically cut short.