Richard George Hocking

Who was Richard George Hocking?

Richard George Hocking was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old English baker who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on July 26, 1888, in Penzance, Cornwall, Hocking 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 Background

A Family of Bakers

Richard George Hocking was born into a family with a strong baking tradition. He was the youngest son of William Hocking, a confectioner and baker, and Eliza Hocking (née Neads). Named after both his grandfathers, Richard Hocking and George Neads, young Richard grew up in a household that valued hard work and craftsmanship.

Childhood in Penzance

• Born at 39 Adelaide Street, Penzance, Cornwall
• Siblings: William, Sidney, Emily, and Ellen (Nellie)
• Family moved to 6 St Mary’s Street, Penzance after father’s death in South Africa

Musical Pursuits

While living in Penzance, Richard became an active member of the YMCA choir, showcasing his musical talents alongside his baking skills.

Life in America

Why did Richard Hocking move to the United States?

Like many young men of his time, Richard sought opportunities across the Atlantic. In the early 1900s, he emigrated to Akron, Ohio, settling at 457 Rhodes Avenue. There, he found employment as a watchman at the Diamond Rubber Company, departing from his family’s traditional baking profession.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Family Reunion

In early 1912, Richard returned to Cornwall on a mission to bring his family to America. His travel companions included:

• Mrs. Elizabeth Hocking (mother)
• Miss Nellie Hocking (sister)
• Mrs Emily Richards (sister)
• George Richards (nephew)
• William Richards (nephew)

Titanic Booking Details

Interesting Fact: The Hocking family was originally scheduled to sail on the Oceanic but was switched to the Titanic.

Cabin Mates

Richard shared a cabin with two friends from Penzance:

• Percy Bailey
• Henry Cotterill (a former neighbor from Adelaide Street)

The Night of the Disaster

A Son’s Sacrifice

As the Titanic began to sink, Richard’s mother pleaded with him to enter a lifeboat. His response exemplified his selfless character:

“No, these men are good to stand back for you, and I must stay back and let their wives and mothers go.”

The Tragic Outcome

Richard George Hocking perished in the disaster at the young age of 23 (twenty-three). His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family to mourn without closure.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Touching Memorial

Shortly after the tragedy, a brass plaque was placed in St John’s School, St Michael’s Street, Penzance, commemorating Richard Hocking and his friend Harry Cotterill. When the school closed in the late 1950s, the plaque found a new home in the nearby St John the Baptist Church in Trewartha Terrace.

The inscription reads:

In Memory of George Hocking and Harry Cotterill pupils of this school for 7 years who lost their lives in the foundering of the ‘Titanic’ 635 miles from New York on April 14 1912 “Quit ye like men”

This poignant memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Richard George Hocking, a young man who, in the face of certain death, chose to put the lives of others before his own.

Richard George Hocking’s story is a testament to the human spirit and the countless individual tragedies that make up the larger narrative of the Titanic disaster. His selfless act in the final moments of his life ensures that he will be remembered not just as a victim of the sinking, but as a hero who embodied the best of humanity in the worst of circumstances.