Mr Walter James Hawksford

Who was Walter James Hawksford?

Walter James Hawksford was a 45 (forty-five) year-old English first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on January 30, 1867, in Kensington, Middlesex, England, Hawksford was a Sales Manager traveling to New York to become the first Export Sales Manager for Schweppes. His journey on the Titanic would prove to be a life-changing experience, as he survived the tragic sinking and lived to tell his remarkable story.

Early Life and Background

Family and Upbringing

Walter James Hawksford was born into a family with a background in trade:

• Father: Nicholas Walter Hawksford (1839-1906), a master bootmaker
• Mother: Annie Elizabeth Smith (1847-1915)
• Siblings: Six known siblings, including two brothers named Nicholas Henry

The Hawksford family lived in various locations throughout Walter’s childhood:

1. 128 Portobello Road, Kensington (1871-1881)
2. 4 Ballarat Terrace, Jocelyn Road, Richmond, Surrey (1891)

By 1891, Walter had begun his professional life as a clerk, while his father had transitioned to selling furniture as a general shop dealer.

Marriage and Family Life

Walter Hawksford married Edith Deal in 1892 in Lewes, Sussex. Edith, born in 1868, was a native of Richmond, Surrey, and the daughter of a watchmaker. The couple built a family together:

• Daughter: Mabel Vera (born 1893, later Mrs. Frank Gaydon)
• Son: Walter Leslie (1899-1971)
• Foster child: John “Jack” Auguste Pouchot (born 1899)

By 1901, the Hawksford family had settled at Tanjore, Canbury Gardens, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, Surrey. Walter’s career had progressed, and he was now working as an export representative.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Walter Hawksford on the Titanic?

Walter Hawksford boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger, embarking on a journey that would change his life forever. He was traveling to New York to take up a prestigious new position as the first Export Sales Manager for Schweppes, a well-known beverage company.

Titanic Ticket Details

The Fateful Night

How did Walter Hawksford survive the Titanic disaster?

Walter Hawksford’s survival can be attributed to a combination of factors, including his quick thinking and a stroke of luck. During the evacuation, an officer loading a lifeboat asked if any men could handle an oar. Hawksford, who was a member of Kingston Rowing Club, stepped forward and was subsequently rescued in lifeboat 3.

In a letter to his wife, Hawksford recounted the initial moments after the collision:

People joked about it and said that the ship had just pushed an iceberg out of the way.

Later, he provided a poignant description of the Titanic’s final moments:

“It was a very cold but beautiful night, starry, and the sea as smooth as glass, we watched her bow gradually getting lower then about two o’clock all the lights went out, her stern rose in the air, and she slowly glided away… We raised our hats, lowered our heads, and nobody spoke for some minutes.”

Arrival in New York

What challenges did Walter Hawksford face upon reaching New York?

When Walter Hawksford arrived in New York, he faced several immediate challenges:

1. He was still wearing the same clothes he had on when he left the Titanic
2. He was penniless, having lost all his possessions in the sinking

Fortunately, a company representative met him and provided $100, allowing Hawksford to stay at the Hotel Astor. From there, he was able to write to his wife and begin the process of recovery from the traumatic event.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience impact Walter Hawksford’s later life?

While the Titanic disaster was undoubtedly a life-changing event for Walter Hawksford, he appears to have continued with his life and career. He returned to his home in Kingston, Surrey, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Walter Hawksford passed away on November 13, 1922, at the age of 55 (fifty-five). He was buried in consecrated ground at Kingston-upon-Thames Cemetery, Surrey, England (section C, plot 4209).

His widow, Edith, never remarried and lived for many years after her husband’s death. She passed away in a nursing home in Uxbridge on November 2, 1955, at the age of 87 (eighty-seven).

Walter James Hawksford’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and the lasting impact of that fateful night on April 15, 1912. His eyewitness account provides a vivid and personal perspective on one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.