Mr William Henry Marsh Parr

Who was William Henry Marsh Parr?

William Henry Marsh Parr was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old English electrician who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on October 10, 1882, in Hindley Green, Lancashire, Parr was part of the Harland & Wolff guarantee group, tasked with overseeing the smooth operation of the Titanic during its maiden voyage.

Early Life and Career

Lancashire Roots

William Parr was born to John Turner Parr and Hannah Marsh, both Lancashire natives. He grew up in a family of five children, though only three survived infancy:

William Henry Marsh (born 1882)
Hannah (born 1884)
Fanny Ann (born 1888)

Professional Development

Parr’s career in electrical engineering began at a young age:

Apprenticeship with the Electrical Department of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Continued service with the railway until early 1910
Appointed as assistant manager in the electricians’ department at Harland & Wolff in March 1910

At Harland & Wolff, Parr supervised the installation of electric plants on both the Olympic and Titanic.

Titanic Journey

Boarding and Role

Mr. Parr embarked on the Titanic at Belfast as a first-class passenger. His ticket number was 112052, though the fare details are not provided. As part of the nine-strong “guarantee group” from Harland & Wolff, Parr’s role was crucial in ensuring the ship’s electrical systems functioned properly during its maiden voyage.

Last Known Sighting

During the evacuation, first-class passenger Anna Warren encountered Parr on D-deck near the forward first-class staircase. When approached for information about the ongoing situation, Parr did not respond and hurried past, heading towards the stairwell.

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, William Parr did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Like his colleagues in the guarantee group, he went down with the ship on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Personal Life and Legacy

Marriage and Family

Married Gertrude Poole in Cheshire in late 1910
Resided at 16 Elaine Street, Cromac, south Belfast
Father to Dorothea Kathleen, born January 5, 1912

Community Involvement

Despite living in Belfast for only two years, Parr:

Made many friends and acquaintances
Taught at the University Road Methodist Church Sunday School
Was a respected member of the community

Aftermath and Remembrance

Family Member	Details
Gertrude Parr (wife)	Never remarried, died on June 8, 1952
Dorothea Kathleen (daughter)	Married in 1939, became a businesswoman, died in July 2002

William Parr is memorialized on his wife’s and her parents’ headstone in Saint John the Baptist Church of England, Hartford, Cheshire West, England.

How did the Titanic disaster impact Parr’s family?

The sinking of the Titanic had a profound effect on William Parr’s family. His wife Gertrude, who had been married to him for only 18 months, was staying with her family in Northwich, Cheshire during her husband’s voyage. The Staffordshire Sentinel reported on April 20, 1912, that it was uncertain whether she ever returned to their home in Belfast after the tragedy.

Gertrude Parr never remarried following her husband’s death. She eventually resettled in her native Cheshire, living at Wood End Cottage in Chester Road, Sandiway, until her death on June 8, 1952. Their daughter, Dorothea, was only three months old when her father perished. She went on to marry John M. Marks in 1939 and became a successful businesswoman before passing away near Worthing, Sussex in July 2002.

The legacy of William Henry Marsh Parr lives on through his family’s history and his contribution to the Titanic’s electrical systems, serving as a poignant reminder of the many lives touched by this historic maritime disaster.