Mr Laurence Gavey

Who was Laurence Gavey?

Laurence Gavey was a 26 (twenty-six) year-old Channel Islander who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on April 9, 1886, in Vale, Guernsey, Gavey was a second-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 Background

A Guernsey Native

Laurence William Gavey was born into a family deeply rooted in the Channel Islands. His parents, Job Gavey (born 1852) and Alice Duquemin (born 1861), were both natives of Guernsey and had married around 1880. Laurence was one of nine children, with six surviving to adulthood:

• Francis (born 1883)
• Chryssa (born 1887)
• Thomas (born 1890)
• Ernold (born 1893)
• Daphne (born 1899)

Childhood and Early Career

The Gavey family’s life in Guernsey can be traced through census records:

• 1891: The family resided at The Banks in St Sampson, Guernsey, with Job working as a gardener.
• 1901: Still at the same address, Job had transitioned to fruit growing. By this time, young Laurence had left school and was apprenticed as a plumber’s fitter.

Journey to America and Return

What led Laurence to the United States?

In 1907, at the age of 21 (twenty-one), Laurence embarked on a new chapter in his life by emigrating to the United States. He settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he found employment as a travelling oil rig fitter for the company of Rockefeller and Hawkins. This career move showcased Laurence’s ambition and willingness to seek opportunities abroad.

Laurence was not just a worker but also a sportsman, known for his keen interest in amateur football.

A Brief Return Home

Sometime around late 1911, Laurence made a trip back to his native Guernsey. The 1911 census provides a glimpse into his family’s situation at this time:

• Laurence was absent from the family home
• His mother, now widowed, was living at Bas Courtils in St Sampsons, Guernsey
• Sisters Daphne and Chryssa were living with their mother
• Alice Gavey continued working as a fruit grower, carrying on the family business

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

For his return voyage to America, Laurence boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket details were as follows:

Possible Travel Companions

While not confirmed, it’s believed that Laurence may have been travelling with:

• His second cousin, Clifford Parker (they shared a common great-grandfather)
• Albert Denbuoy
• The Jefferys party

These connections highlight the complex web of relationships among Titanic passengers, many of whom were embarking on new lives or returning to established ones in America.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Laurence Gavey on that tragic night?

Sadly, Laurence Gavey did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a second-class male passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first class or women and children in any class.

The exact circumstances of his final moments remain unknown. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure and adding his name to the long list of those lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Legacy and Remembrance

While Laurence Gavey’s life was cut short at the young age of 26 (twenty-six), his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. His journey from the small island of Guernsey to the bustling cities of America, only to meet his fate in the cold Atlantic waters, encapsulates the dreams and risks taken by many immigrants of his time.

Today, Laurence Gavey is remembered alongside the many other victims of the Titanic, his name etched in the annals of this historic event. His story continues to be told, ensuring that the memory of this young Channel Islander, who sought adventure and opportunity across the sea, lives on more than a century after that fateful night.