Master Sidney Leslie Goodwin

Sidney Leslie Goodwin was a young English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on September 9, 1910, in Melksham, Wiltshire, England, Sidney was just 1 (one) year old when he embarked on what would become his final journey. His story is one of tragedy and mystery, as he became known as the “Unknown Child” for nearly a century after the disaster.

Early Life and Family Background

Sidney was born into a working-class family in Melksham, Wiltshire. His parents were:

• Frederick Joseph Goodwin (born 1870): A printer and compositor
• Augusta Tyler (born 1868): Native of Middlesex

Sidney was the youngest of six siblings:

1. Lillian Augusta (born 1896)
2. Charles Edward (born 1897)
3. William Frederick (born 1898)
4. Jessie Allis Mary (born 1900)
5. Harold Victor (born 1901)
6. Sidney Leslie (born 1910)

The Goodwin family lived at Watson Court, Watson’s Yard, High Street in Melksham, Wiltshire, as recorded in the 1911 census. By 1912, they had temporarily relocated to 10 Vernon Street, Fulham, London.

The Journey to a New Life

Why did the Goodwin family decide to emigrate?

The Goodwin family’s decision to emigrate was influenced by the prospects of a better life in America. Several of Frederick’s siblings had already settled in Niagara, New York. Sidney’s uncle, Thomas Goodwin, informed the family about a job opportunity for Frederick at the power station in Niagara. This promising news set the wheels in motion for the family’s relocation plans.

To finance their journey, the Goodwins borrowed funds from various uncles and aunts. Initially, they had planned to travel on a different steamer. However, a coal strike disrupted their original plans, leading to their transfer to the RMS Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details

• Embarkation: Southampton
• Class: Third Class
• Ticket Number: 2144
• Fare: £46 18s (46 pounds, 18 shillings)

The Goodwin family, including young Sidney, boarded the Titanic on April 10, 1912, in Southampton. As third-class passengers, they were part of the largest group on the ship, often facing more challenging conditions and limited access to lifeboats.

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, like many large families traveling in third class, the entire Goodwin family perished in the sinking of the Titanic. Sidney, at just 1 (one) year old, became one of the youngest victims of the disaster.

The Mystery of the “Unknown Child”

One of the most poignant stories to emerge from the Titanic tragedy is that of the “Unknown Child,” which was later identified as Sidney Goodwin. Here’s how the mystery unfolded:

1. Body recovery: One of the first bodies recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett was that of a small, fair-haired boy.
2. Burial: Moved by the child’s fate, sailors personally escorted the coffin to Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, paying for a large monument in memory of the “Unknown Child.”
3. Initial misidentifications: For years, the child was speculated to be either Gösta Pålsson or Eugene Rice.
4. DNA testing: In 2002, an American PBS television series initially identified the boy as Finnish passenger Eino Viljami Panula through DNA testing.
5. Final identification: Improved DNA analysis in 2008 by Canadian researchers at Lakehead University conclusively matched the remains to the Goodwin family, proving the child was indeed Sidney Goodwin.

Legacy and Remembrance

Sidney Goodwin’s story, though tragic, has left a lasting impact on Titanic history and public memory:

• Memorial: A memorial to the Goodwin family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire.
• “Unknown Child” Monument: The monument in Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, continues to serve as a poignant reminder of all the children lost in the disaster.
• Historical Significance: Sidney’s identification helped close a long-standing mystery and provided closure to descendants of Titanic victims.

What was found with Sidney’s body?

The description of Sidney’s recovered body provides a heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a young child aboard the Titanic:

NO. 4 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 2 - HAIR, FAIR CLOTHING- Grey coat with fur on collar and cuffs; brown serge frock; petticoat; flannel garment; pink woolen singlet - brown shoes and stockings. NO MARKS WHATEVER PROBABLY THIRD CLASS

This detailed account not only helped in the eventual identification but also serves as a tangible connection to the human cost of the Titanic disaster.

Sidney Leslie Goodwin’s brief life and the century-long mystery surrounding his identity have made him one of the most memorable and poignant symbols of the Titanic tragedy, representing the many young lives lost on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.