Mr Stephen Guest

Who was Stephen Guest?

Stephen Guest was a 22-year-old English general laborer who boarded the RMS Titanic as a third-class passenger on April 10, 1912. He embarked at Southampton, holding ticket number 376563, which cost £8 1s. Despite initially using the name “Robert Guest,” evidence suggests that the passenger was actually Stephen Guest, born in 1889 in Tonbridge, Kent.

Early Life and Background

A Kent Upbringing

Stephen Guest was born in the third quarter of 1889 in Tonbridge, Kent, England. He came from a large family with deep roots in the agricultural community of Kent. His father, Robert Guest (born 1850), worked various jobs including:

• Waggoner
• Agricultural laborer
• Farm bailiff

Stephen’s mother, Fanny Whatman (born 1859), hailed from Rolvenden, Kent. The couple married in late 1886 and took on the responsibility of raising not only their own children but also those of Fanny’s brother, Albert Whatman.

A Large Family

Stephen was one of many siblings in the Guest family:

• Charles Robert (b. 1887)
• Stephen (b. 1889)
• Olive May (b. 1892)
• Grace (b. 1893)
• Ethel (b. 1894)
• Frank (b. 1895)
• Winifred (b. 1897)
• Clara (b. 1899)
• Herbert Percy (b. 1900)
• George Frederick (b. 1901)
• Alice Maud (b. 1902)
• Doris Beatrice (b. 1906)

Life Before the Titanic

What was Stephen’s occupation?

By 1911, Stephen Guest had followed in his father’s footsteps and become a waggoner. He was unmarried and boarding at Pembles Cross Farm in Egerton, Ashford, Kent, continuing the family’s agricultural tradition.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Stephen board under a different name?

Intriguingly, Stephen Guest boarded the Titanic using the name “Robert Guest.” The reason for this pseudonym remains a mystery to this day.

Who was Stephen traveling with?

Stephen was traveling with acquaintances from Maidstone, Kent:

• Percival Thorneycroft
• Florence Kate Thorneycroft

What was Stephen’s destination?

While Stephen’s exact destination is uncertain, the Thorneycrofts were bound for Clinton, New York. The ship’s log indicates that Guest was traveling care of Pickfords of Gresham Street, London, a removals firm.

The Fateful Night

How did Stephen react to the iceberg collision?

According to Mrs. Thorneycroft’s account in the Utica Herald-Dispatch on April 30, 1912:

Mr Guest knocked at their cabin door to inform them that ship had indeed “run into a berg.”

This action demonstrates Stephen’s quick response and concern for his fellow passengers in the face of danger.

What happened to Stephen after the collision?

The exact details of Stephen’s actions after warning the Thorneycrofts are unclear. Mrs. Thorneycroft’s account suggests that when women were being brought to the lifeboats, men were sternly ordered to remain behind, under threat of being shot.

Fate and Legacy

Did Stephen Guest survive the Titanic disaster?

Tragically, Stephen Guest did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He was among the many third-class passengers who perished in the disaster.

How has Stephen’s story been preserved?

Stephen Guest’s true identity and story have been pieced together through:

1. Passenger records
2. Census data
3. Newspaper accounts, particularly those featuring Mrs. Thorneycroft’s testimony
4. The absence of records for Stephen Guest after 1912, unlike his brother Charles Robert

The Mystery of Stephen Guest

Why is Stephen Guest’s story unique among Titanic passengers?

Stephen Guest’s story stands out due to the mystery surrounding his use of a pseudonym. This unusual detail adds an element of intrigue to the already tragic tale of the Titanic.

The reasons behind Stephen’s decision to board under a false name may never be known, but it serves as a reminder of the many untold stories and secrets that went down with the ship on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.