Mr William Albert Alexander

Who was William Albert Alexander?

William Albert Alexander was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old English general labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on September 6, 1887, in Fleggburgh, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, Alexander was one of the many third-class passengers seeking a new life in America aboard the ill-fated vessel.

Early Life and Family Background

A Large Family in Norfolk

William Albert Alexander was born into a remarkably large family:

• Parents: John Alexander (b. 1851) and Emma Fairhead (b. 1853)
• Siblings: 17 in total, with only 9 surviving infancy
• Notable siblings:
  • John (b. 1873)
  • Ernest William (b. 1874)
  • Arthur Albert (b. 1875)
  • Emma Helen (b. 1877)
  • Joseph Arthur (b. 1880)
  • Gertrude Maud (b. 1881)
  • Bertie Horace (b. 1883)
  • Charles Albert (b. 1885)
  • Reginald Albert (b. 1891)
  • Sydney Frank (b. 1893)
  • Arthur Henry (b. 1895)

Where did the Alexander family live?

The Alexander family’s residences changed over the years:

1. 1891: The Common, Burgh, St Margaret
2. Later years: 10 Belvedere Place, Kitchener Road, Great Yarmouth

Interestingly, the 1901 census recorded William living with his married sister, Emma Helen, at 26 Cobbs Place, St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth.

William’s Life Before the Titanic

By the time of the 1911 census, William had returned to live with his parents at 10 Belvedere Place. At this point, he was described as an unmarried, unemployed labourer. This period of unemployment likely influenced his decision to seek opportunities in America, following in the footsteps of his siblings who had already made the journey.

The Titanic Journey

Why was William traveling to America?

William boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, bound for Albion, New York. His motivation for the journey was clear:

• His sister Gertrude Jex had settled in Albion in 1907
• Brothers Reginald and Albert had joined her in 1909 and 1910 respectively
• William’s siblings helped pay for his passage, highlighting the family’s support for his new endeavor

Titanic Ticket Details

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, William Albert Alexander did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure. As one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster, William’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the lives cut short on that fateful night.

The Alexander Family’s Continuing Tragedy

The loss of William was only the beginning of a series of tragedies for the Alexander family:

“His parents would suffer further loss when the onslaught of WWI took two of their sons to fight on the continent.”

• Charles Alexander:

  • Served in the Royal Horse Artillery
  • Killed on September 3, 1917
  • Left behind a young widow, Gertrude (née Wilson)

• Sydney Frank Alexander:

  • Served in France with the 9th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade
  • Killed in action on August 24, 1917

The family’s patriarch, John Alexander, passed away in early 1919, less than two years after losing his sons in the war. Emma, William’s mother, lived until 1937, passing away at the age of 84.

Legacy and Remembrance

While William Albert Alexander’s life was cut short at the age of 24, his story lives on as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic disaster. It serves as a testament to the dreams and aspirations of those seeking a better life in America, and the profound impact of the tragedy on families across the world.

William’s experience, from his humble beginnings in Norfolk to his fateful journey on the Titanic, offers a glimpse into the lives of third-class passengers and the socio-economic factors that drove migration in the early 20th century. His story, intertwined with those of his siblings who successfully made the journey to America, highlights the bittersweet nature of emigration and the risks many were willing to take for a chance at a new life.