Mr Lewis Richard Braund

Who was Lewis Richard Braund?

Lewis Richard Braund was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old English farm labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1883 in Cornwall, England, Braund was part of a group of family members and friends embarking on a journey to Canada in search of new opportunities.

Early Life and Background

Cornish Roots

Lewis Richard Braund was born in 1883 at Pigsdon Farm, Week St Mary, Cornwall. He was the eldest son of James Braund, a farmer, and Elizabeth Braund (née Harris). His siblings included:

• Mary Jane (Janie)
• William James (Jim)
• Owen Harris
• John Morcom (Jack)

Around 1902, the Braund family relocated to Norton’s Farm in Bridgerule, Devon, where Lewis likely honed his skills as a farm labourer.

The Call of Canada

What inspired Lewis to leave England?

Lewis’s brother Jim had previously emigrated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada at the turn of the century. After working on a farm there, Jim returned to Devon with enticing stories of opportunity, encouraging his family members to join him in Canada.

Inspired by the promise of a new life, Lewis decided to make the journey across the Atlantic. He was not alone in this adventure, as he was accompanied by:

• His brother Owen Harris Braund
• Samuel Dennis and William Dennis (second cousins)
• John Henry Perkin (second cousin)
• John Hall Lovell (a more distant cousin)
• Susan Webber (a neighbor from North Tamerton)

The Titanic Journey

Preparations and Embarkation

The group’s journey began with a long train ride from Holsworthy, Devon, on the London & South Western Railway. Their route included changes at Exeter and Salisbury before finally arriving in Southampton on the evening of April 9, 1912.

“They spent that night at the Alliance Hotel, Southampton, before embarking on the Titanic the following morning.”

Titanic Ticket Details

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Lewis and his companions?

Tragically, Lewis Richard Braund and all the members of his group travelling in third class were lost in the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

In a poignant twist of fate, Susan Webber, who had been travelling in 2nd class, survived the disaster. She later wrote a letter of sympathy to the Braund brothers’ parents, providing a bittersweet connection to their lost sons.

Legacy

How was Lewis remembered?

Despite his untimely death at the age of 29 (twenty-nine), Lewis Richard Braund left a small but significant legacy:

• In his will, he left £260 to his father, a considerable sum for a farm labourer of that time.
• His story, along with those of his companions, serves as a poignant reminder of the many third-class passengers who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster.
• The Braund family’s tale exemplifies the dreams and aspirations of many who sought new opportunities in North America during the early 20th century.

After the tragedy, Lewis’s parents moved to Truscott near Launceston, Cornwall, carrying with them the memory of their son and the unfulfilled promise of a new life in Canada.