John James Borebank

Who was Mr John James Borebank?

Mr John James Borebank was a 41 (forty-one) year-old English-Canadian property developer and real estate broker who tragically perished aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in West Hallam, Derbyshire, England on May 1, 1870, Borebank’s life journey took him from rural England to the bustling cities of Canada, where he established himself as a successful businessman before his untimely demise in the infamous maritime disaster of 1912.

Early Life and Family Roots

A Derbyshire Childhood

John James Borebank, affectionately known as Jack, was born into a farming family in the quaint village of West Hallam. His parents, James Borebank and Sarah Maria Milnes, were both Derbyshire natives who married on June 18, 1868. Interestingly, John’s father had been previously married to Caroline Heath, who passed away merely two weeks after their wedding in December 1866.

Siblings and Family Dynamics

John was one of seven children, growing up alongside:

• Mary Elizabeth (1872-1876)
• Frederick William (b. 1874)
• Annie Marina (b. 1876)
• Frances Helen Mary (1877-1878)
• Hannah Mary Helen (b. 1879)
• Lakin (1881-1885)

Tragically, John experienced the loss of three siblings at young ages, a stark reminder of the era’s high child mortality rates.

The Move to Canada

After the untimely death of his mother in December 1883, John’s life took a significant turn. Before the 1880s concluded, the remaining Borebank family made the bold decision to emigrate, settling in St John’s, Toronto, Ontario. This transatlantic move would shape the course of John’s future, setting the stage for his eventual career in real estate.

From Bartender to Property Developer: A Canadian Success Story

How did John James Borebank build his career in Canada?

John’s professional journey in Canada began humbly, with his first job as a bartender. However, his ambition and entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to Winnipeg, Manitoba around 1896. It was here that Borebank found his true calling, transitioning into the world of real estate brokerage.

Family Life and Relocation

On June 14, 1899, John married Elizabeth Isabel Blackburn in Vancouver, cementing his roots in Canada. The couple welcomed their only child, Eileen Isabel Louise, on June 5, 1904. The Borebank family initially resided in Winnipeg but later relocated to Toronto around 1910, where John worked out of the prestigious Quebec Bank building on King Street.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A European Adventure Cut Short

By early 1912, the Borebanks had embarked on a grand European tour, spending ten months visiting iconic cities such as Rome, Venice, and Paris. Their final stop in England was to enroll their daughter in school. It was here that John made the fateful decision to return to Canada alone, booking passage on the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Titanic Details:

• Ticket Number: 110489
• Ticket Cost: £26 11s
• Cabin: D22
• Class: First Class

The Tragedy Unfolds

John James Borebank boarded the Titanic at Southampton, bidding farewell to his wife and daughter, unaware it would be their final parting. As the ship met its tragic end on April 15, 1912, Borebank was among the 1,500 souls lost to the icy waters of the North Atlantic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The news of John’s death reached his father in Toronto four days after the sinking, a devastating blow to the family. Elizabeth Isabel Borebank, now a widow, left England on April 27, 1912, aboard the Vaderland, while their daughter Eileen remained in Britain for her education.

Tragically, Elizabeth’s own life was cut short, passing away in Texas on March 10, 1918, less than six years after her husband’s death. Their daughter Eileen went on to marry an Iowan doctor, becoming Mrs. Cecil Valentine King, and lived until July 22, 1974, when she passed away in Orange, California.

John James Borebank’s life, though ended prematurely, exemplifies the spirit of ambition and adventure that characterized many of the Titanic’s passengers. From his humble beginnings in Derbyshire to his success in Canadian real estate, Borebank’s story remains a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.