Mr Richard Henry Rouse

Who was Richard Henry Rouse?

Richard Henry Rouse was a 55 (fifty-five) year-old English farm labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1857 in Trottiscliffe, Kent, Rouse was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely death on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

A Kent Native with Humble Beginnings

Richard Henry Rouse was born in the spring of 1857 in Trottiscliffe, Kent, England. He was baptized on July 5, 1857, marking the beginning of his life in rural England. Rouse came from a modest family, with his father George Rouse working as a police constable and his mother Mary Ann Glover tending to their home.

Family and Siblings

The Rouse family was quite large, with Richard being one of seven children:

Elizabeth Mary (born 1852)
Thomas (born 1855)
Richard Henry (born 1857)
James (born 1859)
Ellen (born 1861)
Henry (born 1863)
George (born 1865)

Tragically, several of Richard’s siblings did not survive infancy, a common occurrence in the 19th century.

Career and Marriage

Richard Rouse spent most of his life working as a brickfield labourer, a profession he maintained until his fateful journey on the Titanic. In 1891, he married Charity Emily “Emma” Anderson, a young widow with a daughter named Harriett Alice. The couple welcomed their own daughter, Gladys Nancy, in 1903.

The Decision to Emigrate

Why did the Rouse family choose to leave England?

The early 1910s were a challenging time for many workers in England, and Richard Rouse was no exception. Coal strikes had adversely affected his employment prospects, leading to job loss. Meanwhile, his stepdaughter Harriett had emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1910 with her husband and children, where they were thriving.

Inspired by their success and seeking better opportunities, Richard decided to make the journey to America, with plans for his wife and daughter to follow later.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding and Farewell

Richard Rouse boarded the Titanic in Southampton as a third-class passenger. His ticket, number A/5 3594, cost £8 1s (8 pounds and 1 shilling). His final destination was to be his stepdaughter’s home on Colt Road, Cleveland.

In a poignant moment before his departure, Richard’s wife and daughter came to view the Titanic in Southampton. Mrs. Rouse, overcome with fear, expressed her concerns:

“This ship is too big, it will never reach America.”

Richard, however, tried to reassure her:

“Don’t worry, This ship is brand new and anyway, she’s unsinkable.”

A Fateful Voyage

Despite her husband’s reassurances, Mrs. Rouse continued to worry. She received a card from Richard posted at Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, the Titanic’s last port of call before crossing the Atlantic.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Richard Rouse on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

As a third-class passenger, Richard Rouse faced significant challenges in escaping the sinking ship. The exact circumstances of his final moments are unknown, but we do know that he did not survive the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Family’s Future

The Rouse Family After the Tragedy

Following the loss of Richard, his wife Charity and daughter Gladys embarked on their own journey to America. They arrived in New York on June 5, 1912, aboard the Oceanic. The family settled in Fremont, Ohio, where Charity lived until her death on November 14, 1936.

Gladys Rouse’s Life

Richard’s daughter Gladys went on to lead a full life:

Married Sewell Walter Ickes in 1922
Had a son named Bradford
Divorced and remarried to Clarence Weaver in 1925
Had several more children
Lived in Shelby, Indiana for many years
Settled in Florida where she passed away in 1985

Harriet’s Journey

Richard’s stepdaughter Harriet, whose American success had inspired the family’s emigration plans, continued to live in Ohio. She was widowed in 1924 and passed away in Fremont in 1957.

Richard Rouse’s Place in Titanic History

Richard Henry Rouse’s story is a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations that led many to board the Titanic, seeking a better life across the Atlantic. His journey, cut tragically short, represents the hopes and struggles of countless third-class passengers who saw the grand ship as a gateway to new opportunities. Today, he is remembered as one of the many victims of one of the most famous maritime disasters in history, his tale a testament to the human cost of the Titanic’s sinking.