Mr Arthur Gordon McCrae

  
© John Cowper, Australia

Mr Arthur Gordon McCrae, 32, was born in Adelaide on 7 January 1880. Arthur's grandmother was Georgiana Huntly McCrae (1804-1890) the (illegitimate) daughter of George, 5th Duke of Gordon and Jane Graham. Georgiana migrated to Australia with her husband Andrew (1800-1874). They had nine children, the fourth was Farquhar Peregrine R. McCrae, Arthur's father

Arthur was the youngest son of Farquhar Peregrine Gordon McCrae (1838-1915), a former inspector of the Bank of Australasia, Sydney, Australia, and Emily Aphrasia Brown.

Young Arthur with sister Emily, and brother Colin pictured at their Chatswood, Sydney (NSW, Australia) home. © John Cowper, Australia	Family group, taken at Chatswood Back row: Murison, Violet (sister) Second back row: 'Granny' McCrae (Emily) - Arthur's mother, Farquhar - Arthur's father Front row, Emily, Arthur, Francis; In front: Colin © John Cowper, Australia

He was educated at the Sydney Grammar School and at St Paul’s College, Sydney University, and graduated as a Bachelor of Engineering.

Arthur in University days in his St Paul's College - University of Sydney Cricket Blazer
© John Cowper, Australia

After completing his studies he received an appointment at a gold-mine in West Africa, from which he proceeded to the post of assistant-manager of the Spasky copper-mine, Akmolinsk, Siberia. He became engaged to the daughter of the mine manager.

Dressed to brave the Siberian winter. © John Cowper, Australia	Arthur's fiancé. © John Cowper, Australia

McCrae boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a Second Class passenger. He was travelling to meet friends in Canada. He died in the sinking, his body was recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#209) and buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 10 May 1912.

Later, a Celtic cross was erected at his grave, the tallest among those in the Titanic section.

McCrae's grave at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax
© Bill Fowler, Canada

The inscription reads:

Notes
One on the mementos his family treasures is a set of silver spoons, from Siberia, now affectionately known as "the Titanic Spoons".

Articles
Unknown Newspaper (Sydney, Australia), 1912, Obituary

Documents
Record of Bodies and Effects: Passengers and Crew, S.S. Titanic (Public Archives of Nova Scotia) (#209)

Contributors
John Cowper, Australia (Great Nephew of Arthur Gordon McCrae)
Bob Knuckle, Canada