Mr William Dennis

Who was William Dennis?

Mr William Dennis was a 26 (twenty-six) year-old English farmer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1886 in the village of Ashbury, Devon, Dennis was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to start a new life in Canada when disaster struck.

Early Life and Background

A Farming Family in Devon and Cornwall

William Dennis was born into a farming family, with his father, William Henry Dennis, also working as a farmer. His mother was Mary Arabella Dennis (née Sobey). William had two older sisters, Elizabeth and Olive, and at least two younger brothers, including Samuel.

The Dennis family’s life was characterized by movement within the rural landscapes of Devon and Cornwall:

1. 1886: Born in Ashbury, Devon
2. 1888: Family moved to Treyeo Farm, Launcells, Cornwall
3. 1894: Relocated to Leigh Farm, Week St Mary, Cornwall

It was from Leigh Farm that William would eventually depart on his fateful journey to North America.

The Decision to Emigrate

What inspired William Dennis to leave England?

William Dennis was encouraged to emigrate to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada by his relatives Lewis Richard and Owen Harris Braund from nearby Bridgerule, Devon. The Braund family had a relative, Leonard Lovell, already established in Canada, who served as a point of contact for the group’s migration plans.

The prospect of new opportunities in the vast Canadian prairies was a powerful draw for young farmers like William, who saw the chance to own larger tracts of land and build prosperous futures for themselves.

Titanic Journey Details

Preparing for the Voyage

William Dennis’s journey to a new life began with careful preparation:

• Ticket: Third-class passage (ticket number 21175)
• Fare: £7 5s (7 pounds, 5 shillings)
• Embarkation Point: Southampton

It’s believed that William obtained his ticket from Mr. Hawking, the Bude White Star agent, highlighting the local connections involved in his travel arrangements.

A Group Endeavor

William didn’t embark on this journey alone. He was part of a close-knit group of travelers, including:

• His younger brother, Samuel Dennis
• Relatives John Henry Perkin (from Ashbury, Devon) and John Henry Lovell (from Holsworthy, Devon)
• Owen Harris Braund and family
• Susan Webber, a family friend from North Tamerton, Cornwall

This group made the long train journey from North Cornwall to Southampton together, united in their hopes for a new beginning across the Atlantic.

Fate During the Disaster

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

On the night of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. As a third-class passenger, William Dennis faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats during the evacuation.

“William Dennis was lost in the sinking, his body, if recovered, was never identified.”

This stark statement encapsulates the tragic end to William’s journey and dreams. At just 26 (twenty-six) years old, his life was cut short, along with those of many other third-class victims who had hoped to find new opportunities in North America.

Legacy and Remembrance

How is William Dennis remembered?

While William Dennis’s body was never recovered or identified, his story lives on as part of the larger narrative of the Titanic disaster. He represents the many young, hopeful immigrants whose lives were tragically cut short by the sinking.

William’s connection to the tight-knit farming communities of Devon and Cornwall adds a poignant local dimension to the global tragedy of the Titanic. His story, intertwined with those of his traveling companions, serves as a reminder of the human cost of the disaster and the dreams that were lost beneath the Atlantic waves.

Today, William Dennis is remembered alongside the many other victims of the Titanic, a testament to the enduring fascination with and commemoration of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.