William John Rogers

William John Rogers was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Welsh miner who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in 1882 in Glais, Glamorganshire, Wales, Rogers was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated ship’s maiden voyage. His story is one of personal struggle, family complications, and ultimately, a tragic end in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Early Life and Background

A Miner’s Son in Wales

William John Rogers was born into a mining family in Glais, Glamorganshire, Wales. His father, John Rogers (born 1837), was a miner from Caernarvonshire, while his mother Elizabeth (born 1846) hailed from Glamorganshire. William was one of six children, with five older sisters:

• Mary (born 1869)
• Hannah (born 1872)
• Margaret (born 1875)
• Rachel (born 1877)
• Gwenllian (born 1880)

Growing Up in Ynysymond

The 1891 census places young William in Ynysymond, Glais, Pontardawe. By 1901, at the age of 18 (eighteen), William had already followed in his father’s footsteps and begun working as a miner. He was the only child still living at home with his widowed mother.

Personal Life and Family Complications

An Unconventional Family

Despite being described as single in the 1911 census, William’s life was far from simple. He had fathered a child with Elizabeth Powell (born 1879 in Ynysymond). Their son, John Reginald, was born in late 1901. It wasn’t until the spring of 1911 that William and Elizabeth finally married.

Marital Troubles and Legal Issues

By early 1912, Elizabeth was pregnant with their second child. However, their marriage was already in turmoil. Contemporary news reports reveal that William had abandoned his wife, and a court order for desertion had been placed against him just days before he boarded the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Why Did William Board the Titanic?

William Rogers boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His reasons for leaving his pregnant wife and young son behind are unclear, but may have been related to his recent legal troubles.

Travel Details

• Ticket Number: 23567
• Fare: £8 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

William was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by his nephew, Evan Lewis Davies, who was also a miner. Their final destination remains unknown.

Fate During the Disaster

What Happened to William John Rogers?

William John Rogers did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Impact

A Family Left Behind

Following the sinking, William’s widow Elizabeth faced an uncertain future. She moved in with her sister, Mrs. John Davies (Gwenllian, née Powell), and her family at Bethania Road, Clydach, Glamorgan. On September 13, 1912, Elizabeth gave birth to William’s posthumous son, named William Morgan.

Remembering William John Rogers

William John Rogers is memorialized on a headstone in Seion Newydd churchyard in Morriston, Swansea, Wales. This serves as a lasting tribute to a life cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

The Fate of William’s Family

The lives of William’s family members after the Titanic disaster paint a poignant picture:

• Elizabeth’s fate remains unclear, though it’s believed she may have remarried before the end of the 1910s.
• William’s posthumously born son, William Morgan Rogers, lived a long life, passing away in Powys, Wales in 2004.
• His first son, John Reginald, died in Glamorganshire in 1972.

A Life Interrupted

William John Rogers’ story is a stark reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. A young miner from Wales, fleeing personal troubles, met his end in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. His legacy lives on through his descendants and the memorial that bears his name, a testament to the enduring impact of that fateful night in April 1912.