Mr Richard Thomas Fry

Richard Thomas Fry was a 39 (thirty-nine) year-old English first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who tragically perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. As the personal valet to Joseph Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line, Fry’s life and fate were intimately connected to one of the most prominent figures associated with the Titanic disaster.

Early Life and Background

Who were Richard Fry’s parents?

Richard Thomas Fry was born on November 23, 1872, in Pentonville, London, England. He was the son of George Fry, a photographer and artist, and Eliza Emma Willshire. Both of his parents were natives of Marylebone, London, and had married on May 29, 1866, in Westminster.

What was Richard Fry’s family like?

Richard came from a large family, with seven known siblings:

• George (b. 1868)
• Anne (b. 1870)
• Keziah (b. 1875)
• Adelaide (b. 1878)
• Charles (b. 1880)
• Archibald (b. 1882)
• Rosalind Gladys (b. 1890)

Where did the Fry family live?

The Fry family’s residences changed over the years:

1. 1880: Moved from London to Coatham, near Redcar in north Yorkshire
2. 1881: Lived on Station Road in Coatham
3. 1891: Relocated to Sheffield, living at 39 Spring Hill, Hallam

Professional Life

What was Richard Fry’s career path?

Richard Fry’s career in domestic service began at a young age:

1. 1891: Worked as a footman for a wealthy manufacturing family in Meltham, near Huddersfield
2. 1901: Employed as a butler for the wealthy Pilkington family at Rainford Hall, Lancashire
3. c. 1902: Began working as personal valet to Joseph Bruce Ismay

Family Life

When did Richard Fry get married?

Richard Fry married Mary Ann Burton, a native of Cardiff, Wales, on August 24, 1904, at St Anne’s Church in Aigburth, Liverpool. At the time of their marriage, Richard was described as a butler, while Mary Ann was listed as a domestic servant.

Did Richard Fry have children?

Yes, Richard and Mary Ann had two children:

1. Winifred (born April 5, 1906)
2. Ronald (born June 26, 1907)

The Titanic Journey

What was Richard Fry’s role on the Titanic?

Richard Fry boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger, accompanying his employer, Joseph Bruce Ismay. His ticket number was 112058, and he occupied cabin B-102 during the voyage.

Who did Richard Fry travel with?

Fry traveled alongside:

• Joseph Bruce Ismay (Chairman of the White Star Line)
• William Henry Harrison (Ismay’s secretary)

The Fateful Night

What happened to Richard Fry during the Titanic disaster?

Richard Fry perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. At the time of his death, he was 39 (thirty-nine) years old.

How did Richard Fry’s death impact his family?

Family members believe that Bruce Ismay, out of gratitude for Fry’s service and possible role in helping him to safety, took Richard’s wife Mary Ann and their two children into his household after the Titanic disaster. This act of kindness, if true, would have provided some financial security for the bereaved family.

Legacy and Descendants

What became of Richard Fry’s children?

1. Winifred Fry:

   • Married chemist Daniel David Davies in London in 1929
   • Had a son named Richard (b. 1934)
   • Lived in Eastcote, Ruislip
   • Passed away in 2003 at the age of 96 (ninety-six)

2. Ronald Fry:

   • Worked as a draper’s salesman
   • Married Annie Vera Elizabeth Tromp in London in 1937
   • Lived in London for many years
   • Died in Devon in 1997

How is Richard Fry remembered?

Richard Fry’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in the Titanic disaster, including those of the ship’s crew and service personnel. His connection to Joseph Bruce Ismay provides a unique perspective on the first-class passengers and staff who were aboard the ill-fated vessel.

“Family members believe that Bruce Ismay took Richard’s wife and two children into his household after the sinking of the Titanic, presumably out of gratitude for the role Fry played in helping him to safety and for his length of service.”

This act of compassion, if true, highlights the complex relationships and aftermath of the tragedy, where survivors grappled with guilt and responsibility towards the families of those lost at sea.