Mr Percy William Deacon

Who was Percy William Deacon?

Percy William Deacon was a 17 (seventeen) year-old English baker who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on September 24, 1894, in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England, Percy was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Family Background

A Hampshire Native

Percy William Deacon was born into a working-class family in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. His parents were:

Father: Albert William Deacon (born 1869), a carter and farm labourer
Mother: Elizabeth Kate Downer (born 1872)

The couple had married in 1893, just a year before Percy’s birth.

Siblings and Family Life

Percy was one of seven children born to Albert and Elizabeth, though only five survived. His known siblings included:

Albert James (born 1896)
Alfred Charles (born 1898)
Sidney Lawrence (born 1900)
Edward George (born 1905)
Florence Mildred Kate (born 1908)

The Deacon family lived in various locations throughout Hampshire:

1901: Resided in Frogham, Fordingbridge
1905: Moved to Fritham, Hampshire
1911: Still living in Fritham, where Percy was recorded as an unmarried baker at age 16

The Titanic Journey

Why was Percy Deacon on the Titanic?

Percy Deacon boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His exact destination remains uncertain, with two possible scenarios:

Traveling to Eden, Manitoba with a group of companions
Heading to Boston to join an uncle, with plans to enroll in a missionary school

Ticket and Travel Companions

Percy’s journey was intertwined with several other passengers from his local area:

They shared a joint ticket, number 14879, which cost £73 10s.

Interesting fact: According to family legend, Percy had borrowed his share of the fare from Herbert Hickman, the father of the Hickman brothers traveling with him.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Percy Deacon on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Percy William Deacon, like many other passengers, did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. At just 17 (seventeen) years old, he perished in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Percy Deacon remembered?

Percy Deacon, along with his traveling companions, is memorialized on a plaque in St Peter’s Church, Bramshaw, Hampshire. The plaque reads:

Name	Age
Percy Deacon	17 Years old
William Dibden	18 Years Old
Charles Henry Davies	19 Years Old
Ambrose Hood	21 Years Old
Stanley George Hickman	21 Years Old
Leonard Mark Hickman	24 Years Old
Lewis Hickman	32 Years Old

All Of The Parish Who Were Lost In The Wreck Of The S S Titanic On April 15th 1912 Through Collision With An Iceberg In The Atlantic

The Aftermath for the Deacon Family

The loss of Percy was just the beginning of a series of tragedies for the Deacon family:

1913: Percy’s parents had another son, Ernest Francis (1913-1999)
1915: Percy’s brother Albert died at age 18
1916: Percy’s mother Elizabeth passed away at age 44
1929: Percy’s father Albert William Deacon died

An Unfulfilled Dream

Percy William Deacon’s journey on the Titanic represents a poignant tale of youthful aspirations cut short. Whether he was seeking new opportunities in Manitoba or pursuing a calling in Boston, his story serves as a reminder of the many lives and dreams that were lost on that fateful night in April 1912. As one of the youngest victims of the disaster, Percy’s memory lives on through historical records and the memorial in his home parish, ensuring that his brief life and tragic fate are not forgotten.