Mr Walter Harris

Who was Walter Harris?

Walter Harris was a 45 (forty-five) year-old English bricklayer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1867 in High Halden, Kent, Harris was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, traveling to New Jersey with hopes of visiting a close friend.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots in Kent

Walter Harris was born into a working-class family in High Halden, Kent, England. His parents were:

• Father: Thomas Harris (born 1837), a domestic gardener
• Mother: Amelia Hukins (born 1849)

Walter had two known siblings:

• Henry (born 1869)
• Ethel (born 1876)

A Life of Movement

The Harris family’s life was characterized by frequent relocations:

1. 1871: Living at Borstal Road, St Margaret, Kent
2. 1881: Moved to Howberry Farm, Crayford, Kent
3. 1891: Relocated to Enfield, Middlesex

By 1891, Walter had left the family home and was boarding at 133 West Street, Erith, Kent, where he began his career as a bricklayer.

Marriage and Family Life

Walter Harris married Ada Harriett Smith on July 11, 1898, at St James’ Church in Enfield. Ada, born in 1877 in Ponders End, Middlesex, was the daughter of wheelwright George Smith and Ann Brazier Pruddent.

The couple’s family milestones include:

• 1901: Living at 7 Harwood Villas, Enfield
• February 5, 1902: Birth of their only child, Walter Ernest
• 1911: Moved to 47 Granville Road, Walthamstow

Throughout these years, Walter continued his work as a bricklayer, providing for his small family.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was Walter Harris on the Titanic?

Walter Harris boarded the RMS Titanic as a second-class passenger on April 10, 1912, at Southampton. His destination was New Dunham, New Jersey, where he planned to visit his close friend, Charles Oxenham.

Journey Details

• Ticket Number: 14208
• Fare: £10 10s
• Traveling Companion: Percy Thomas Oxenham

Originally, Harris and Oxenham were booked to travel on the Philadelphia on April 6. However, due to coal strikes, their passage was switched to the Titanic.

A Chilling Premonition

“Is Daddy going to be drowned?”

In a haunting twist of fate, a contemporary newspaper reported that prior to his departure, Walter visited a palmist. After reading his palm, the woman refused to reveal what she had seen, only stating that she didn’t like it. This ominous encounter led to Walter’s young son asking the chilling question above.

The Night of the Disaster

What happened to Walter Harris during the sinking?

Accounts of Walter Harris’s final moments vary:

• Some reports suggest Harris and Oxenham shared a cabin
• Others indicate they were in adjoining cabins
• One account claims a steward alerted them to the danger
• Another suggests Percy Oxenham’s curiosity led them to investigate

What is known is that Walter and Percy watched several lifeboats leave before becoming separated. Percy Oxenham managed to secure a place in a lifeboat and survived, while Walter Harris was lost in the sinking.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

Walter Harris’s body, if recovered, was never identified. His death left a lasting impact on his family:

• Ada Harris (widow): Never remarried and remained in Walthamstow until her death on September 16, 1951
• Walter Ernest Harris (son):
  • Worked as an accountant for an engineering firm
  • Married Edith Boston in 1929
  • Lived in Elstree, Hertfordshire
  • Died on March 12, 1971

The story of Walter Harris serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster, leaving behind grieving families and unfulfilled dreams.