Joseph Pierre Duquemin

Who was Mr Joseph Pierre Duquemin?

Mr Joseph Pierre Duquemin was a 24-year-old (twenty-four) Titanic survivor from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. He demonstrated remarkable bravery during the sinking, helping women and children to safety before securing his own survival. Duquemin later settled in the United States, where he built a new life while carrying the physical and emotional scars of the disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Channel Islander’s Roots

Joseph Pierre Duquemin was born on November 24, 1887, in Guernsey, one of the picturesque Channel Islands. He came from a large family, being the eldest of ten surviving children out of fourteen born to Joseph Pierre Duqemin and Ann Louise Quentin, both natives of Castel, Guernsey.

Siblings and Childhood

Joseph’s siblings included:

• Walter (b. 1888)
• Elise (b. 1890)
• Nora (b. 1891)
• Nelson (b. 1893)
• Lillian (b. 1895)
• Harry (b. 1898)
• Florry (b. 1899)
• Adele Emilie (b. 1897)
• Rita (b. 1900)
• Gerald (b. 1904)

The Duquemin family resided at Port Grat in St Sampson, as recorded in both the 1901 and 1911 census records.

Pre-Titanic Life

What was Joseph’s occupation before boarding the Titanic?

By 1911, Joseph was described as an unmarried labourer working in a quarry. This occupation likely prepared him for the physical demands he would face during the Titanic disaster and in his later life.

The Fateful Journey

Titanic Voyage Details

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

• Ticket number: S.O./P.P. 752
• Cost: £7 11s (7 pounds, 11 shillings)

He was traveling with Howard Hugh Williams, while another friend, Albert Denbuoy, was in second class. Joseph’s intended destination was Albion, New York.

Heroic Actions During the Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Joseph Duquemin displayed remarkable courage:

• He assisted women in finding lifeboats
• Gave his overcoat to a shivering 7-year-old girl, Eva Hart
• Continued helping others until waist-deep in water
• Jumped into the freezing Atlantic and swam to Collapsible D

Initially refused entry to the lifeboat, Joseph was eventually allowed aboard when he mentioned his ability to handle an oar. He later claimed to have pulled another swimmer from the water.

Survival and Aftermath

How did Joseph’s family learn of his survival?

News of the disaster reached Guernsey, causing great distress to Joseph’s family. His mother was so shocked that a doctor had to be called. Relief came in the form of a telegram that read:

“Joseph Duquemin reported safe, Ismay.”

This telegram and its envelope remain in the possession of Joseph’s descendants, a tangible link to that historic moment.

Post-Titanic Struggles

The Titanic disaster left lasting marks on Joseph:

• He suffered from nightmares about the sinking
• Frostbite in his legs caused ongoing health issues
• He never returned to his beloved Guernsey

Life in America

Where did Joseph settle after the Titanic?

After recuperating in New York, Joseph:

1. Worked in upstate New York
2. Moved to Sterling, Connecticut in the late 1910s
3. Served in the US Army during World War I
4. Finally settled in Stamford, Connecticut

In Stamford, he found employment at the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company and contributed to building Stamford High School’s Boyle Stadium in the 1930s.

Family Life

In the 1920s, Joseph married Marion Flanaghan, a Connecticut-born Irish-American. They had three children:

1. Mary (1929-1976)
2. Marilyn (1931-1985)
3. Joseph Jr. (b. 1932)

Later Years and Legacy

How did the Titanic affect Joseph’s health in later life?

Joseph’s health deteriorated significantly in his later years:

• He lost two toes to gangrene
• By the mid-1940s, both his legs were amputated

Despite these challenges, Joseph was remembered as strict, honest, and independent. Interestingly, he rarely discussed the Titanic but often expressed longing for his Guernsey homeland.

When and where did Joseph Duquemin die?

Joseph passed away on June 1, 1950, at Stamford Hospital. He was laid to rest in the Veterans’ Plot at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, Connecticut.

A Lasting Impact

Years after Joseph’s death, Eva Hart, the young girl he had helped during the sinking, visited the Duquemin family in Guernsey. She shared the story of Joseph’s bravery and expressed her gratitude, ensuring that his heroic actions would be remembered for generations to come.