Miss Lillian Augusta Goodwin

Who was Lillian Augusta Goodwin?

Lillian Augusta Goodwin was a 16 (sixteen) year-old English servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on March 12, 1896, in Newington, Middlesex, England, Lillian was part of a large family that had hoped to start a new life in America but instead became victims of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family Background

A Growing Family in England

Lillian was born to Frederick Joseph Goodwin (born 1870) and Augusta Tyler (born 1868), who married on December 25, 1894. She was one of six children in the Goodwin family:

• Charles Edward (born 1897)
• William Frederick (born 1898)
• Jessie Allis Mary (born 1900)
• Harold Victor (born 1901)
• Sidney Leslie (born 1910)

Where did the Goodwin family live?

The Goodwin family’s residences can be traced through census records:

1. 1901: 4 Exeter Road, Edmonton, Middlesex
2. 1911: Watson Court, Watson’s Yard, High Street in Melksham, Wiltshire
3. 1912: 10 Vernon Street, Fulham, London (temporary residence)

Lillian’s father, Frederick, worked as a printer and compositor, providing for his large family in various locations across England.

The Journey to a New Life

Why did the Goodwin family decide to emigrate?

The Goodwin family’s decision to emigrate was influenced by several factors:

1. Several of Frederick’s siblings had already settled in Niagara, New York.
2. Lillian’s uncle, Thomas Goodwin, informed the family about a job opportunity for Frederick at the Niagara power station.
3. The prospect of a better life in America enticed the family to make the move.

To fund their journey, the Goodwins borrowed money from various uncles and aunts, demonstrating the close-knit nature of their extended family.

How did the Goodwins end up on the Titanic?

“The family had originally planned to cross on another steamer but the coal strike changed their plans and they were transferred to the Titanic.”

This twist of fate would prove devastating for the Goodwin family. They boarded the Titanic in Southampton on April 10, 1912, as third-class passengers, with ticket number 2144, costing £46 18s.

The Fateful Voyage

What was life like for the Goodwins on the Titanic?

As third-class passengers, the Goodwins would have had access to basic amenities on the ship. Lillian, at 16 years old, may have helped care for her younger siblings during the voyage. The family likely spent time together in the third-class common areas, perhaps dreaming of their new life in America.

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, the Goodwin family, like many other large families in third class, faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats. The chaos and confusion of the evacuation, combined with the disadvantage of being in third class, likely contributed to their inability to escape the sinking ship.

“Like most large families travelling in third class, especially those with teenage boys, the entire family was lost in the sinking.”

Legacy and Remembrance

How is the Goodwin family remembered?

1. Memorial: A memorial to the Goodwin family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire, serving as a poignant reminder of their lives and tragic fate.

2. The Youngest Victim: Baby Sidney, Lillian’s youngest brother, was the only family member whose body was recovered. For many years, he remained unidentified, known as the “Unknown Child” until modern DNA testing revealed his identity.

3. Historical Interest: The story of the Goodwin family, including Lillian, continues to captivate those interested in the Titanic’s victims, particularly due to the loss of an entire family unit.

What can we learn from Lillian Augusta Goodwin’s story?

Lillian’s story, intertwined with that of her family, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. It highlights the disproportionate impact on third-class passengers and families, and the cruel twists of fate that can alter the course of lives. The Goodwin family’s journey from hope to tragedy encapsulates the broader narrative of many who sought a better life aboard the Titanic, only to meet a premature end.

The memory of Lillian Augusta Goodwin, a young servant girl with her whole life ahead of her, continues to resonate over a century later, reminding us of the dreams, aspirations, and lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.