Mr William Campbell

Who was William Campbell?

William Campbell was a 20 (twenty) year-old Irish carpenter and joiner who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 22, 1891, in Belfast, Ireland (modern-day Northern Ireland), Campbell was one of the nine-strong “guarantee group” of Harland and Wolff employees chosen to oversee the smooth running of the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots in Belfast

William Campbell came from a Presbyterian family with deep roots in Belfast. His father, William Campbell Sr. (born 1845), was a seaman from Belfast, while his mother, Sarah née Hawthorne (born 1847), hailed from Islandmagee near the port of Larne in Co Antrim. The couple married on February 25, 1870, at Sinclair Seaman’s Church near the Belfast docks.

Siblings and Family Life

The Campbell family was large, with William being the youngest of eight children:

• Mary Hawthorne (November 4, 1871 - 1877)
• Elizabeth Corry (December 6, 1873 - 1912)
• Sarah (March 20, 1876)
• Mary Hawthorne (April 24, 1878)
• Robert John (circa 1882)
• Jane (October 15, 1884)
• Two siblings who died in infancy

Where did the Campbell family live?

The Campbell family moved several times within Belfast:

1. 1901: 47 Spamount Street, New Lodge area
2. 1911: 45 Earl Street, Clifton
3. Later: 28 Earl Street

Titanic Journey

Why was William Campbell on the Titanic?

William Campbell, described as a “bright lad,” was selected as part of the Harland and Wolff guarantee group. This elite team of nine employees was tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of the Titanic during its maiden voyage.

Titanic Ticket Details

Fate During the Disaster

William Campbell did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss of this promising young man at the age of 20 (twenty) was a tragedy not only for his family but also for the Harland and Wolff shipbuilding company.

A Double Tragedy for the Campbell Family

In a cruel twist of fate, just one day after William’s death, his elder sister Elizabeth Leathem passed away at the age of 38 (thirty-eight). She was buried in Belfast’s City Cemetery on April 18, 1912, unaware of her brother’s tragic fate.

“WILLIAM CAMPBELL… an apprentice joiner, who was one of the special staff on the Titanic sent by the builders, and whose name, unfortunately, is not included in the list of survivors. As already recorded, a sister of his passed away in Belfast a few days ago, and in her last illness was touchingly anxious to see again her young brother, who all unknown to her had met a cruel fate.” - Larne Times, April 27, 1912

Legacy and Remembrance

How was William Campbell remembered?

1. Estate Administration: Campbell’s modest estate, valued at £10, was administered to his father William on March 28, 1913.

2. Memorial Notice: On April 15, 1913, a touching memorial appeared in the Belfast Newsletter:

   “CAMPBELL–In fond and loving memory of my dear brother Willie, who lost his life in the R.M.S. Titanic on the 15th April, 1912; also my dear sister Lizzie (Mrs Leathem), who died the following day, and was interred in the City Cemetery.”

3. Family’s Continued Hardship: William’s mother later moved to 84 Corporation Street, Belfast, where she succumbed to cancer on June 20, 1915, adding to the family’s series of tragedies.

William Campbell’s Connections on the Titanic

William Campbell was not alone among the Harland and Wolff employees on the Titanic. He worked alongside several colleagues who were also part of the guarantee group:

• Thomas Andrews, the ship’s designer
• Roderick Chisholm, a shipwright
• Alfred Fleming Cunningham, an apprentice fitter
• Anthony Wood Frost, an engineering charge hand
• Robert Knight, a fitter
• Francis Parkes, a plumber
• Ennis Hastings Watson, an electrician

These men, like Campbell, were chosen for their expertise to ensure the Titanic’s maiden voyage was a success. Tragically, none of the guarantee group survived the disaster.

William Campbell’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic tragedy. His role as part of the guarantee group highlights the immense pride and responsibility placed on Belfast’s shipbuilders, and the devastating impact the disaster had on the city’s tight-knit community.