John Hatfield Cribb

Who was Mr John Hatfield Cribb?

Mr John Hatfield Cribb was a 43 (forty-three) year-old Australian butler who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Adelaide, Australia, on April 27, 1868, Cribb was a seasoned traveler and a respected member of the service industry, having worked for prominent families in New York and New Jersey.

Early Life and Family

Australian Roots and English Heritage

John Hatfield Cribb’s life began far from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Born to English parents Robert Cribb and Catherine Johnson, John’s early years were spent in Adelaide, Australia. His father hailed from Poole, Dorset, while his mother was from Swaffham, Norfolk. The couple had married in Australia around 1864, embarking on a new life in the southern hemisphere.

John’s family included:

• Sister: Mary Ann (born 1866)
• Step-mother: Lucy Emma Short (married to Robert Cribb in 1875)
• Step-brother: Robert William Edmond (born 1876)

Return to England

After the untimely death of his mother in 1871, young John, only 3 (three) years old, returned to England with his remaining family. They settled in Poole, Dorset, where his father remarried in 1875. This move would shape the course of John’s life, setting the stage for his future career and travels.

A Life of Service and Travel

From Hotel to High Society

John’s introduction to the service industry likely began at a young age. The 1881 census places John and his family at the Queens Hotel in Poole Road, Holdenhurst, Hampshire. His father managed the establishment, providing John with early exposure to the hospitality sector.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1894, at the age of 26 (twenty-six), John married Bessie Jane Welch in Poole. The couple’s life together was marked by frequent moves between England and the United States, resulting in a truly transatlantic family:

A Butler’s Journey

John Cribb’s career as a butler took him across the Atlantic numerous times. His profession was variously described as butler or steward on passenger manifests of ships including:

• Teutonic
• Oceanic
• Adriatic

His expertise in service led him to work for prominent families in New York and New Jersey. Additionally, John spent several years as the assistant steward of the Essex Club in Newark, further cementing his reputation in the service industry.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Dream

On April 10, 1912, John and his daughter Laura boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket, number 371362, cost £16 2s. The father-daughter duo was bound for Newark, New Jersey, with plans for the rest of the family to join them later to settle permanently in the United States.

A Father’s Ultimate Sacrifice

As the Titanic struck an iceberg on that fateful night of April 14, John Cribb’s actions exemplified the courage and selflessness that would become legendary in the disaster’s aftermath. Knowing the grave danger, John:

1. Went to fetch his daughter from the women’s quarters
2. Guided them through crew passageways to reach the lifeboats
3. Ensured Laura’s place in a lifeboat
4. Promised to board a later boat, a promise he tragically couldn’t keep

Legacy and Remembrance

John Hatfield Cribb, at the age of 43 (forty-three), lost his life in the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The heroic butler’s last act ensured his daughter’s survival, a testament to his character and love for his family.

Financial Legacy

John’s estate, valued at £2526 10s, was administered to his widow Bessie on August 9, 1912. This substantial sum, equivalent to over £300,000 in today’s currency, speaks to John’s success in his career and his provision for his family’s future.

A Family’s Grief

Bessie Cribb, John’s widow, never remarried. She later settled in Bournemouth, carrying the memory of her husband until her death on April 23, 1951. The Cribb family’s story, particularly the survival of Laura May, ensures that John Hatfield Cribb’s sacrifice and the tragedy of the Titanic continue to be remembered over a century later.

John Hatfield Cribb’s life, spanning continents and oceans, ended in one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. His story, from Adelaide to the Atlantic, serves as a poignant reminder of the individual lives behind the Titanic’s statistics, and the countless acts of bravery that occurred on that tragic night.