William John Matthews

Who was William John Matthews?

William John Matthews was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1889 in Penwithick, St Austell, Cornwall, he was a China Clay worker who embarked on a journey to meet his fiancée in LaSalle, Illinois. Tragically, Matthews did not survive the Titanic’s sinking on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots in Cornwall

William John Matthews was born into a working-class family in late 1889. His parents were:

Father: Joseph Matthews (born 1863), a China Clay labourer
Mother: Ellen Green (born 1861)

Both parents were natives of St Austell and had married in mid-1884. William was one of seven surviving children out of eight, with his siblings being:

Susan (born 1884)
Samuel (1886-1919)
Emma Jane (1888-1974, later Mrs Eddie Rescorl)
Richard (1893-1959)
Philip (1896-1977)
Beatrice Annie (1905-1911, later Mrs John Wale)

Childhood and Early Work Life

William’s early years were spent in Penwithick, as evidenced by the 1891 census. The family later moved to Ashes Park, St Austell, as shown in the 1901 census. However, by the time of the 1911 census, they had returned to Penwithick.

“The 1911 census shows that William and all of his brothers had followed in the footsteps of their father and worked as China Clay labourers.”

It’s worth noting that by this time, William’s father, Joseph, was registered as disabled, which likely increased the family’s reliance on the children’s income.

The Titanic Journey

Why was William John Matthews on the Titanic?

William was reportedly engaged to be married and was traveling to meet his fiancée in LaSalle, Illinois. This personal milestone prompted his journey across the Atlantic on the Titanic.

Titanic Boarding Details

Class: Second Class
Ticket Number: 28228
Fare: £13
Port of Embarkation: Southampton

It’s possible that William travelled with Richard Slemen of Landrake, Cornwall, although this connection is not definitively established.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to William John Matthews on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

William John Matthews did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a second-class passenger, his chances of survival were lower than those in first class but higher than those in third class.

Key points about William’s fate:

He was lost in the sinking on April 15, 1912
His body, if recovered, was never identified
At the time of his death, he was 23 (twenty-three) years old

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The loss of William John Matthews had a profound impact on his family and community. His untimely death at such a young age, while en route to start a new chapter of his life, adds to the tragedy of the Titanic disaster.

Family’s Later Years

William’s mother, Ellen, died in 1927
His father, Joseph, passed away on June 29, 1928

The loss of their son William, followed by the deaths of both parents within a year of each other, marks the end of a difficult chapter for the Matthews family.

Remembering William John Matthews

William John Matthews’ story is a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that make up the larger Titanic disaster. A young man from a working-class background, embarking on a journey of love and new beginnings, only to have his life cut short. His tale underscores the indiscriminate nature of the tragedy, which affected passengers from all walks of life and all corners of the world.