encyclopedia titanica

Master Walter John van Billiard : 3rd Class Passengers

Summary
Born: Saturday 28th February 1903
Age: 9 years
Last Residence: in London England
3rd Class passenger
First Embarked: Southampton on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 851 , £14 10s
Destination: North Wales Pennsylvania United States
Died in the sinking.
Body recovered by: Mackay-Bennett (No. 1)
Buried: Union Cemetery, Zion Lutheran Church Flourtown Pennsylvania United States

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Mr Austin Blyler van Billiard
Master James William van Billiard

Related Images

Grave or Memorial
Van Billiard family monument
Van Billiard monument, side view

Master Walter John van Billiard

Master Walter John van Billiard was born in France, on 28 February 1903, the younger son of Austin Blyer van Billiard and Maude Murray.

Walter boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger , together with his father and brother James

Walter lost his life in the sinking. His body, was identified by the Red Cross as the very first to be recovered by the MacKay Bennett (1).

NO. 1. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE. - 10-12. - HAIR. LIGHT. CLOTHING - Overcoat, grey; one grey coat; one blue coat; grey woolen jersey; white shirt; grey knickers; black stockings; black boots EFFECTS - Purse containing few Danish coins and ring; two handkerchiefs Marked "A". PROBABLY THIRD CLASS

The body was returned to Halifax and, following communicationon 2 May, were forwarded two days later to North Wales, Pennsylvania. Walter van Billiard at his father were buried at Union Cemetery, Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown, Pennsylvania.

Notes
1. Because of the effects recovered with the body there has to be some doubt over the authenticity of the identification.

Documents
Record of Bodies and Effects: Passengers and Crew, S.S. Titanic (Public Archives of Nova Scotia) (#1)

References
Judith Geller (1998) Titanic: Women and Children First. Haynes. ISBN 1 85260 594 4
Brian Ticehurst (1996) Titanic's Memorials World wide: Where they are Located. ISBN 1 871733 05 7

Acknowledgements
Judith Geller, USA
Haynes Publishing, UK