Mr Frank Couch

 

Frank Couch (1), 28, was born in 1884 in Port Isaac, North Cornwall, the son of Francis Couch (mariner and fisherman) and Hannah Marina Couch (née Fishley). Hannah was originally from Plymouth, Devon and this is where they were married on 6 August 1874. Frank was the fifth of ten children (2), the eldest two (as per the 1881 census) were Charles Olonza and Laura Ellen. Two others were Francis and Mary both of whom died as young children.

He signed-on the Titanic in Southampton on 6 April 1912, as an able-bodied seaman his monthly wages were £5. He gave no local address but indicated that he had previously served aboard the Modwera.

Couch was lost in the sinking. His body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#253).

NO.253 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 27 - HAIR, MEDIUM

CLOTHING - Black coat and vest; blue jersey; grey singlet; no socks.

TATTOO - Left arm, eagle on branch with flower; right arm, monument.

PROBABLY A SAILOR


He was subsequently buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Halifax Nova Scotia on 6 May 1912.

Image
© Bill Fowler, Canada

Frank is mentioned on his parents gravestone in the parish churchyard of St Endellion, a few miles from Port Isaac, Cornwall. The inscription reads:

In Loving Memory of
Marina Couch
who died April 5th 1910
aged 57 years
also of Francis
husband of the above
who died April 14 1919
aged 65 years.
Also of their three sons
Francis
who died June 13th 1880
aged 13 months.
Charles Olonza
who was drowned at sea
on or about November 18th 1905.
Aged 29 years.
Frank
who was drowned in the
Titanic disaster April 15th 1912
aged 28 years.
Also of Mary, their daughter
died December 6th 1893 aged 2 years.

Image
Courtesy: Steve Coombes, UK

Notes
1. On some lists his name appears as "F. Crouch".
2. The ten children of Francis and Hannah Couch were:

Charles Olonza (born 1876 - died 18 November 1905)
Laura Ellen (born 1878)
Francis (born 1879 - died 13 June 1880)
Annie (born 1882)
Frank(born 1884 - died on Titanic)
Martha (born 1886)
Ralph (born 1888)
Rebecca (born 1889)
Mary (born 1891- died 6 December 1893)
Marina (born 1894)

Documents
Crew Particulars of Engagement
Record of Bodies and Effects: Passengers and Crew, S.S. Titanic (Public Archives of Nova Scotia) (#253)

References
United States Senate, Washington 1912. n° 806, Crew List
Voyage (#10). Titanic International  (1991)

Acknowledgements
Steve Coombes, UK
Chris Dohany, USA
Brian Ticehurst, UK
Bill Wormstedt, USA

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Summary
Born: 1884
Age: 28 years
Marital Status: Single.
Last Residence: in Port Isaac Cornwall England
Occupation: Able Seaman
Last Ship: Modwera
Deck crew
First Embarked: Southampton
Died in the sinking.
Body recovered by: Mackay-Bennett (No. 253)
Buried: Fairview Lawn Cemetery Halifax Nova Scotia Canada on Monday 6th May 1912.

Related Articles
Reported Port Isaac Victim Guardian

Other Information
1901 Census, Poole, Dorset

Related Pages

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  Titanic Victims
  Mackay Bennett Bodies
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