Previous to his Titanic trip he had made at least two other sea voyages, both times on the Lucania, once in 1907 and again the following year. He was 5' 4 1/2" tall, with dark brown hair and brown eyes and, by 1901, at age of 36, was married with a family. His wife's name was Margaret (she was born in Leicester) and they had two sons - Denzil, aged 8 and Wellesley, aged 6.

They resided at 42 Humberstone Road. Here (on the 1901 Census) his business was given as "Journey and Shop Fellond and Shop Front Building". Also, a minor point: his full name, when listed is Denzil John Jarvis, not John Denzil Jarvis.