Mr William Henry Nancarrow

Who was William Henry Nancarrow?

William Henry Nancarrow was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old English mason who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in St Austell, Cornwall, in 1876, Nancarrow was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Background

A Cornish Upbringing

William Henry Nancarrow was born in the spring of 1876 in St Austell, Cornwall, England. He was the only child of Thomas Nancarrow, a mine engine driver, and Maria Opie (née Morcum). William’s family background was complex, with both his parents having been previously married:

Father’s Previous Marriage: Thomas Nancarrow was first married to Christiana “Hannah” Teague, with whom he had seven children.
Mother’s Previous Marriage: Maria Morcum was previously married to Henry Opie, a copper miner, and had two children from that union.

Early Work and Family Life

William’s early life was marked by:

Working as a tin miner from the age of 14
Marriage to Mary Ellen Cannon in 1897
Fathering eight children between 1898 and 1911

“William was renowned in his locality for his singing abilities.”

Titanic Journey Details

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

William Henry Nancarrow boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His journey was characterized by the following details:

Ticket Number: 3338
Fare: £8 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)
Destination: Yonkers, New York

Nancarrow was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by his relatives, Grace and Alexander Robins, who were also tragically lost in the disaster.

Connections to Other Passengers

Interestingly, William may have been acquainted with two other passengers from St Austell:

Both of these men also worked in the China quarries, establishing a potential connection among the three passengers.

Fate During the Disaster

The Tragic End

William Henry Nancarrow did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss was compounded by the fact that his relatives, the Robins, also perished in the disaster.

Legacy and Impact

A Family’s Continued Tragedy

The aftermath of William’s death brought further sorrow to his family:

His youngest child, Stanley, died in late 1912, aged only 1 year
His eldest son, Thomas Henry, was killed in action during World War I on March 4, 1916

Interesting Connections

In a twist of fate, William’s second son, Walter, married Edith Saundercock in 1918. Edith was the sister of another Titanic victim, William Henry Saundercock, creating an unexpected link between two families affected by the disaster.

What Became of William’s Widow?

The fate of William’s widow, Mary Ellen Cannon, remains uncertain. It’s possible that she remarried, but her ultimate whereabouts are unknown, adding a final mystery to the story of the Nancarrow family’s connection to the Titanic tragedy.