Mr Henry Dennis Witt

Mr Henry Dennis Witt was born at Cross House, Southampton on 14th December, 1874 the son of George Witt (labourer and bricklayer) and his wife Ellen (née Sillence). Henry, who was usually called Harry, had three older brothers: George, William and John, and two younger sisters Nellie and Daisy 1.

In 1891 Harry was living with his mother at 27 Coleman Street, Southampton. He was working as a "River Boy". His father died in 1902 and his mother in 1911.

Witt had previously served on the Oceanic. He was not originally engaged to serve on the Titanic but, together with his colleagues Lloyd, Geer, Kinsella, Black and Hosgood, was taken on at the last minute after six of the the "signed-on" crew arrived late for the sailing. His address at the time of the sinking was 28 Lower College Street, St Marys, Southampton.

Harry Witt died in the sinking. His body, if recovered was never identified. He is remembered with a plaque on a grave at The Old Cemetery, The Common, Southampton. The grave number is C175 076.

Notes
1. In the 1881 census the family are listed as living at 22 Chantry Road, Southampton St Mary, Hampshire. George Witt is listed as a master bricklayer and his wife as "Helen". Daisy was born after 1881.

Documents
Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth
Crew Particulars of Engagement
Coventry Standard, 26/27 April 1912, Article
The Hampshire Independent, 17 April 1915 [sic], In Memoriam

References
British Census 1881
British Census 1891
Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)

Contributors
Hermann Söldner, Germany
Brian Ticehurst, UK
Alan Tucker, UK
Priscilla Winn, UK