William Dibden

William Dibden was an 18 (eighteen) year-old English second-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who tragically lost his life in the infamous disaster. Born on October 29, 1893, in Bramshaw, England, Dibden was a general labourer embarking on a journey to Eden, Manitoba when fate intervened.

Early Life and Family Background

Where did William Dibden come from?

William Dibden hailed from the small parish of Bramshaw, straddling the Hampshire and Wiltshire borders in England. He was born into a working-class family, with his father William Dibden Sr. (b. 1857) working as a butcher, and his mother Eliza Hester, née Dibden (b. 1864), managing the household.

The Dibden family consisted of five children:

• Mary (b. 1886)
• Bessie (b. 1888)
• William (b. 1893)
• Benjamin (b. 1896)
• Hester Eveline (b. 1900)

Tragically, William’s father passed away in 1901, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Despite this hardship, the family persevered, with William eventually taking up work as a general labourer to help support his loved ones.

Life Before the Titanic

What was William’s life like before boarding the Titanic?

Census records paint a picture of William’s life in the years leading up to his fateful journey:

• 1901 Census: William is listed as living in Furzley, Bramshaw
• 1911 Census: Still residing in Furzley, William is described as a general labourer

Living close to the Dibden family were William’s aunt and uncle, Ambrose and Sarah Hood, along with his cousin Ambrose Hood. This proximity to family would play a significant role in William’s decision to embark on his journey to Canada.

The Titanic Journey

Why did William Dibden board the Titanic?

William Dibden boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a second-class passenger. His decision to make this journey was not made alone; he was part of a group of seven men from the same locale, all seeking new opportunities in Canada. William’s travel companions included:

• Ambrose Hood
• Charles Henry Davies
• Percy William Deacon
• Leonard Mark Hickman
• Lewis Hickman
• Stanley George Hickman

Their destination was Eden, Manitoba, where they likely hoped to find work and start a new life.

What were the details of William’s Titanic ticket?

William’s journey details were as follows:

It’s worth noting that the ticket was a joint ticket, shared among the group of travelers from Bramshaw.

The Fateful Night

What happened to William Dibden during the Titanic disaster?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, William Dibden, like many other passengers, found himself in a life-threatening situation. Despite the efforts of crew and passengers to evacuate the ship, William did not survive the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Remembrance and Legacy

The loss of William Dibden and his companions deeply affected their home community. Their memory is preserved in several ways:

1. Headstone Inscription: William is remembered on his parents’ headstone in St Peter’s Church, Bramshaw:

“William, Eldest Son Of The Above Who Was Lost In The Wreck Of The S.S. Titanic April 15th 1912 Aged 18 Years”

2. Memorial Plaque: A plaque in St Peter’s Church commemorates all seven men from the parish who perished:

Percy Deacon 17 Years old William Dibden 18 Years Old Charles Henry Davies 19 Years Old Ambrose Hood 21 Years Old Stanley George Hickman 21 Years Old Leonard Mark Hickman 24 Years Old Lewis Hickman 32 Years Old All Of The Parish Who Were Lost In The Wreck Of The S S Titanic On April 15th 1912 Through Collision With An Iceberg In The Atlantic

How did William’s death impact his family?

The loss of William deeply affected his mother, Eliza Hester Dibden. She continued to live at the same address in Bramshaw for the rest of her life, carrying the memory of her eldest son. Eliza passed away on May 30, 1944, over three decades after the Titanic disaster.

William Dibden’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic tragedy. His journey, begun with hope for a new future in Canada, became part of a larger narrative of loss and remembrance that continues to captivate the world over a century later.