William Thomas Beavan

Who was William Thomas Beavan?

William Thomas Beavan was a 20 (twenty) year-old English third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on February 17, 1892, in Canning Town, Essex, England, Beavan was a general labourer who embarked on a journey to America that would tragically end in the North Atlantic.

Early Life and Family Background

A Large Family in Greater London

William Thomas Beavan was born into a working-class family in Canning Town. He was the eldest of seven children born to:

William John Beavan (b. 1864): A ship’s fitter
Elizabeth Coombs (b. 1871): A London native

His siblings included:

Agnes Amelia (b. 1894)
Elizabeth Lillian (b. 1895)
Doris Madeline (b. 1897)
James Albert (b. 1898)
Ada Alexandra (b. 1902)
Violet (b. 1907)

The Move to Gillingham

Around 1895, the Beavan family relocated from Greater London to Gillingham, Kent. This move would shape young William’s life and future prospects:

1901: The family resided at 81 Arden Street, Gillingham
1911: They moved to 95 Richmond Road, Gillingham

William’s Career and Personal Life

What was William’s occupation before boarding the Titanic?

By 1911, William had established himself as a shop assistant in an ironmongery. His employer, Mr. Vinall, owned a shop on Gillingham High Street. This position likely provided William with valuable experience in customer service and retail operations.

There is suggestion that he was also engaged to be married.

This hint of a personal relationship adds a poignant layer to William’s story, suggesting dreams and plans that were tragically cut short.

The Titanic Journey

Why was William Beavan traveling to America?

William boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His destination was Russell, Illinois, where he planned to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Gould, who were originally from Gillingham. This connection suggests that William may have been seeking new opportunities or adventures in America, possibly with the support of family friends.

Ticket and Fare Details

Ticket Number: 323951
Fare: £8 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)

The relatively modest fare reflects the accommodations in third class, which, while basic, were considered quite good for the time on a ship of Titanic’s caliber.

Fate During the Disaster

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

Tragically, William Thomas Beavan did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a young man in third class, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class. Third-class passengers faced numerous obstacles in reaching the lifeboats, including:

Limited access to upper decks
Language barriers
Lack of clear instructions

William’s body, if recovered, was never identified. This lack of closure would have added to the immense grief experienced by his family back in England.

The Aftermath and Family Impact

How did William’s family cope with the tragedy?

The loss of William had both emotional and financial impacts on the Beavan family:

His parents received £20 in relief from the Mansion House fund
An In Memoriam Card was created to honor William’s memory

Despite this tragedy, the Beavan family continued to reside in Gillingham:

William’s father passed away in 1927
His mother died in 1938
Both parents were buried in Woodlands cemetery, Gillingham, Medway Authority, Kent, England (section H, plot 2048)

Legacy

William Thomas Beavan’s story, while brief, serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His journey represents the hopes and dreams of countless third-class passengers who saw the Titanic as a gateway to new opportunities in America.

Today, William’s name is remembered alongside the many other victims of the Titanic, ensuring that future generations continue to learn from this historic tragedy.