Percy Andrew Bailey

Who was Percy Andrew Bailey?

Percy Andrew Bailey was an 18 (eighteen) year-old English butcher’s assistant who tragically lost his life as a second-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in Penzance, Cornwall in 1894, Bailey was embarking on a journey to America to further his career when disaster struck on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Cornish Roots

What was Percy Bailey’s background?

Percy Bailey was born in early 1894 in Penzance, Cornwall, England. He was the eldest child of Joseph Bailey (1873-1944), a butcher, and Edith Davies (1875-1957). Percy grew up in a family deeply rooted in the butchery trade, with his father owning a local butcher shop. His siblings included:

• Ada (1897-1987, later Mrs. Robert Stewart)
• Joseph Gordon (1900-1957)
• George Leslie (1907-1991)

For most of his life, Percy resided at 25 Gwavas Street in Penzance, as evidenced by his presence in both the 1901 and 1911 censuses. By the time of the 1911 census, at the age of 17 (seventeen), Percy had already followed in his father’s footsteps and was working as a butcher’s assistant.

The Journey to a New Life

Why was Percy Bailey traveling on the Titanic?

Percy Bailey’s journey on the Titanic was meant to be the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He had secured employment as an apprentice butcher with a firm in Akron, Ohio. His travel plans included:

1. Visiting his uncle, Harry Jennings, in New York City
2. Proceeding to Akron, Ohio to stay with a friend of his father
3. Starting his new job as an apprentice butcher

Interestingly, Bailey had initially booked passage on the White Star Line vessel Oceanic. However, upon learning that several of his friends were booked on the Titanic, he decided to transfer his ticket to join them on the maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” ship.

Titanic Experience

What was Percy’s impression of the Titanic?

Percy Bailey boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number 29108, cost £11 10s. In a poignant letter to his parents written aboard the ship, Percy described his awe at the vessel:

The Titanic is a marvel I can tell you I have never seen such a sight in all my life, she is like a floating palace, everything up to date.

This letter, dated April 17th (though likely written on April 10th), provides a glimpse into Percy’s excitement and optimism about his journey and future prospects.

Who were Percy’s companions on the Titanic?

During the voyage, Percy shared a cabin with two other young men from Penzance:

• Henry Cotterill
• Richard George Hocking

Tragically, none of the three friends would survive the disaster.

The Fateful Night

What happened to Percy Bailey during the sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Percy Bailey, like many second-class male passengers, did not have the opportunity to board a lifeboat. The details of his final moments are unknown, but it is likely that he, along with his cabin mates, perished in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.

Percy’s body, if recovered, was never identified. His death at the young age of 18 (eighteen) cut short a promising life and career.

Impact and Remembrance

How was Percy Bailey’s loss felt?

The loss of Percy Bailey was deeply felt both in his hometown of Penzance and by his relatives in America. A New York newspaper article published shortly after the disaster highlighted the impact on his uncle, Harry Jennings:

The echo of grief and horror which can be heard the world round, as the result of the greatest sea disaster in history has reached a Bronx fireside at 213 Willis avenue, where lives Harry Jennings, a butcher for H. Walger, at 333 Alexander avenue, and whose nephew Percy Bailey, was among the second cabin passengers that went down to Neptune’s grave with the biggest ship afloat.

The article went on to describe the widespread mourning throughout the Bronx, with flags at half-mast and memorial services planned in many churches.

Legacy

Percy Bailey’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His journey from a small town in Cornwall to the decks of the most famous ship in history encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many who sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.

While Percy’s life was tragically brief, his memory lives on through historical records and the enduring fascination with the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage. His letters home, preserved for posterity, offer a touching glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of a young man on the brink of a new adventure, serving as a testament to the human stories behind one of history’s greatest maritime tragedies.