Mr Thomas Cupper Mudd

Who was Thomas Cupper Mudd?

Thomas Cupper Mudd was a 16 (sixteen) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in the summer of 1895 in Huntingfield, Suffolk, England, Thomas was a second-class passenger who embarked on the Titanic’s maiden voyage from Southampton. His journey was tragically cut short when the ship sank on April 15, 1912, claiming his life along with many others.

Early Life and Family Background

A Large Suffolk Family

Thomas Cupper Mudd came from a sizeable family in rural Suffolk:

• Parents: Thomas Mudd (b. 1855) and Elizabeth Coe (b. 1864)
• Siblings: One of thirteen children, with ten surviving infancy
• Notable siblings:
  • James (1882-1953)
  • George Thomas (1887-1966)
  • Millicent Mary (1897-1978)
  • Maurice Jarrold (1899-1957)
  • Percy Henry (1903-1981)

Childhood and Early Career

• 1901: First census appearance, living on The Street in Huntingfield
• 1911: Census records show Thomas, at 15, working as a bookkeeper

The Journey to America

Why was Thomas traveling on the Titanic?

Thomas was following in the footsteps of his older brothers who had already emigrated to America:

1. James left around 1907, settling in Radnor, Pennsylvania as a gardener
2. George joined James in 1911
3. Thomas planned to join them in early 1912

Titanic Boarding Details

• Class: Second Class
• Ticket Number: S.O./P.P. 3
• Fare: £10 10s (10 pounds, 10 shillings)
• Embarkation: Southampton

Thomas’s Titanic Experience

A Letter Home

Thomas wrote a poignant letter to his mother from the Titanic:

Dear Mother,

Arrived at Southampton safe - The Titanic is a splendid boat and you hardly know you are moving. Will write more fully later

Your loving Son Tom.

This letter provides a glimpse into Thomas’s initial excitement about the voyage and the grandeur of the Titanic.

What happened to Thomas Mudd during the disaster?

Tragically, Thomas Cupper Mudd did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. At just 16 years old, Thomas became one of the youngest victims of the Titanic disaster.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

How did the Titanic disaster affect the Mudd family?

The loss of Thomas had a profound impact on his family:

• His parents received financial support from the Titanic relief fund
• His father passed away in 1926
• The fate of his mother remains uncertain

The Mudd Brothers in America

Despite the tragedy, Thomas’s brothers continued their lives in America:

• George:

  • Settled in Philadelphia
  • Worked in shipyards
  • Married Sarah Hallaren (1889-1951)
  • Named his firstborn son Thomas, likely in memory of his lost brother
  • Died in Philadelphia in 1966

• James:

  • Settled in Abington, Montgomery County
  • Continued working as a gardener
  • Married Gertrude Alberta Mulley (b. 1882)
  • Passed away on May 2, 1953

Remembering Thomas

Thomas Cupper Mudd’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. His journey, cut short at such a tender age, exemplifies the dreams and aspirations of many second-class passengers who sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, only to meet a tragic fate on that fateful night in April 1912.