Mrs Lillian Renouf: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Who was Mrs Lillian Renouf? Born as Lillian “Lilly” Elizabeth Jefferys on February 26, 1882, in St John’s, Guernsey, she was a 30 (thirty) year-old second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Her journey from tragedy to survival would become a testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.

Early Life and Channel Island Roots

Lillian’s early years were deeply rooted in the Channel Islands:

• Born to William John Jefferys and Alice Ann Bennett
• One of eight siblings in a close-knit family
• Spent her youth in St Peter’s Port, Guernsey

What was Lillian’s occupation before the Titanic?

Prior to her fateful voyage, Lillian worked as a domestic chambermaid at the Old Government House Hotel in St Peter’s Port. This experience in hospitality would serve her well in the years to come.

Marriage and Migration

Lillian’s life took a significant turn when she married Peter Henry Renouf, a carpenter and house decorator from St Sampsons, Guernsey. Their union marked the beginning of a new chapter:

• Emigrated to the USA in 1907
• Settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey
• Lived on Florida Street with family members

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Renoufs on the Titanic?

In 1911, Lillian and Peter returned to Guernsey to visit relatives. For their journey back to New Jersey, they boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Their ticket (number 31027) cost £21, a significant sum at the time.

Traveling Companions

The Renoufs were not alone on this voyage. They were accompanied by:

• Lillian’s brothers, Clifford Thomas Jefferys and Ernest Wilfred Jefferys
• Fellow Guernsey residents:
  • William Douton
  • Lillian Bentham
  • Emily Rugg
  • Albert Denbuoy

The Night of the Disaster

How did Lillian experience the Titanic’s collision?

Lillian’s account of the fateful night provides a vivid picture of the unfolding tragedy:

“I was dressing myself again when my husband and brothers burst into the cabin. They had been in the smoking room, and had seen the iceberg as it bore away from the vessel and told me to dress hurriedly although they thought there was little danger.”

As the situation worsened, Lillian observed the stark contrast in passenger reactions:

“The first and second class passengers were calm in the face of the disaster but when the steerage passengers burst up from below, the scramble for places in the boats and the bedlam of noise was awful.”

Survival and Loss

Lillian was among the fortunate survivors of the Titanic. She escaped the sinking ship in lifeboat 12, alongside Lillian Bentham and Emily Rugg. Tragically, her husband Peter and her two brothers did not survive the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did Lillian rebuild her life?

Following the tragedy, Lillian demonstrated remarkable resilience:

• Continued living in Elizabeth, New Jersey
• Remarried in the 1920s to Arthur Stead, a butcher from Yorkshire
• Settled at 128 Reid Street in Elizabeth

Final Years and Legacy

Lillian Renouf’s life came to an end on July 9, 1933, at the age of 51 (fifty-one). She was cremated at Rosedale and Rosehill cemetery and crematory in Linden, Union County, New Jersey.

What is Lillian Renouf’s lasting impact?

While the whereabouts of her remains are unknown, Lillian’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human element in the Titanic disaster. Her survival and subsequent life underscore the resilience of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.

Lillian’s experience aboard the Titanic, from the initial confusion to the harrowing escape, provides invaluable insight into the passenger experience during those fateful hours. Her story continues to fascinate historians and Titanic enthusiasts, ensuring that the memory of that night in April 1912 remains vivid more than a century later.