Mr Reginald Harry Rogers

Who was Reginald Harry Rogers?

Reginald Harry Rogers was an 18 (eighteen) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 17, 1893, in Tavistock, Devon, England, Rogers was a second-class passenger embarking on a journey to start a new life in America. Tragically, he became one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster, losing his life at the young age of 18 (eighteen).

Early Life and Family Background

A Tavistock Native with Deep Roots

Reginald Harry Rogers was born into a family with strong ties to Tavistock, Devon. His parents, John Giles Rogers and Emma Jane Westlake, were both natives of the town and had married in early 1893. Reginald was the eldest of five children:

• Francis John (1895-1966)
• Edna Emma (1899-1900)
• Hilda Emma (b. 1901)
• Charles (b. 1903)

Family Tragedy and Changes

Reginald’s early life was marked by significant changes:

• His father, John Giles Rogers, was a stonemason who passed away on October 24, 1903.
• Two years later, his mother remarried Fred Jackman, a district council worker from Lamerton, Devon.
• Reginald gained a stepsister, Edith Jane, and a half-sister, Violet Maude, from his mother’s second marriage.

Professional Life Before the Titanic

How did Reginald’s career progress?

Despite his young age, Reginald Harry Rogers had already gained considerable work experience:

1. He began his career in service to Reverend Maitland Kelly.
2. Later, he found employment at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock.
3. By 1911, he was working as a servant at the Angel Hotel in Helston, Cornwall.
4. His last position before embarking on the Titanic was as an assistant waiter at the Angel Hotel, where he had worked for about three years.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Reginald traveling to America?

Reginald was encouraged to emigrate to the United States by his uncle, Frederick Adams, who was living in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The young man saw this as an opportunity for a fresh start and was willing to “turn his hand to anything that came along.”

Titanic Booking Details

“He had intended to travel by another liner, but the sailing was cancelled on account of the coal strike.”

This twist of fate led Reginald to book passage on the Titanic, a decision that would ultimately cost him his life.

Fate During the Disaster

Reginald Harry Rogers did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a second-class male passenger, his chances of survival were slim. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

The Impact on His Family

The news of the disaster hit Reginald’s family hard:

• His mother and grandmother were reported to be “in much distress, fearing the worst.”
• The local community in Tavistock recognized him as “a smart and steady young fellow.”

Legacy and Remembrance

While Reginald’s life was cut tragically short, his memory lives on:

• He is remembered on his father’s headstone in Tavistock Cemetery.
• His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster.
• Reginald is part of the collective memory of second-class passengers who perished in the sinking.

Reginald Harry Rogers’ brief life and tragic end on the Titanic highlight the human cost of the disaster. His story, like many others, serves as a testament to the dreams and aspirations of those who sought a new life across the Atlantic, only to have their journeys cut short by one of the most infamous maritime tragedies in history.