Miss Robina Maggie Ford

Who was Robina Maggie Ford?

Robina Maggie Ford was a young English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on April 25, 1904, in Rotherfield, Sussex, England, she was just 7 (seven) years old when she embarked on what would be her final journey. As a third-class passenger, Robina’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family Background

A Sussex Childhood

Robina was the youngest of five children born to Edward Ford, a farm worker from Fletching, Sussex, and Margaret Ann Watson, who hailed from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Her siblings included:

• Dollina Margaret (born 1891)
• Frances Mary (born 1893)
• Edward Watson (born 1895)
• William Neal Thomas (born 1897)

Family Struggles

The Ford family faced significant challenges in the years leading up to their fateful Titanic voyage.

By 1911, Robina was the only child still living at the family home in Rotherfield. Her father had reportedly deserted the family, leaving her mother to support them as a poultry farmer. This hardship likely contributed to the family’s decision to seek a new life across the Atlantic.

The Journey to a New Life

Why did the Fords decide to emigrate?

The Ford family’s decision to leave England was inspired by Robina’s sister Frances, who had emigrated to the USA in 1911. Working as a domestic servant for a wealthy Long Island family, Frances painted a picture of a better life that captivated her family back home.

Titanic Voyage Details

• Ticket Number: W./C. 6608
• Fare: £34 7s 6d
• Class: Third Class
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

Robina boarded the Titanic at Southampton with her mother and siblings. They were part of a larger group of ten, which included her aunt Elizabeth Johnston and her family, as well as a family friend, Alice Harknett.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Robina and her family?

Tragically, the entire party of ten, including young Robina, were lost in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. None of their bodies were identified among those recovered after the disaster. Robina’s life was cut short at just 7 (seven) years old, never reaching the shores of America where she and her family had hoped to build a new life.

Legacy and Aftermath

The Impact on Surviving Family

The loss of the Ford family had a profound impact on those left behind. Robina’s father, Edward, who had not traveled with the family, filed a claim for the loss of his loved ones. He was awarded five shillings per week as compensation, a sum that could hardly ease the pain of such a devastating loss.

Remembering Robina

While Robina’s life was brief, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. She represents the many children and families who perished, their hopes and dreams for a better future tragically unfulfilled.

Historical Context

The Third-Class Experience on Titanic

Robina’s journey as a third-class passenger on the Titanic sheds light on the experiences of many immigrant families of the era. Despite the luxury associated with the ship, third-class accommodations were basic, and these passengers faced the highest mortality rate during the sinking.

Robina’s story, intertwined with those of her family members like Dollina Margaret Ford, Edward Watson Ford, Margaret Ann Watson Ford, and William Neal Thomas Ford, illustrates the collective tragedy that befell many families traveling in third class.

As we remember Robina Maggie Ford, we are reminded of the dreams and aspirations of those who sought a new life across the ocean, only to have their journey end in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. Her story continues to resonate, a testament to the enduring fascination and sorrow surrounding the Titanic’s victims more than a century later.