Mr Fred Toms

Mr Fred Toms, 29, was born in Hampshire^1,2 on 3 October 1882 the son John Toms (1848-c.1908) and Matilda Ann Mullens (1849-1936).  He had 6 siblings: William Charles Toms (1875-1962), John Henry Toms (1878-1948), Fanny Toms (1880-1882), Emily Toms (1884-1980), Kate Toms (1887-1909) and Ernest Toms (born 1890).

Toms signed-on to the Titanic in Belfast as a steward on 1 April 1912. When he signed-on again in Southampton on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as Hillside Rd. B.P. (Bitterne Park, Southampton)³. As a steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s. He had transferred from the Olympic.

Toms was rescued in lifeboat 15 possibly with his friend, Saloon Steward Benjamin Thomas.

Toms continued to work for White Star, he signed-on to the Oceanic on 10 July 1912 but his health was impaired by his Titanic experience and he left the Oceanic, returned to Southampton and married Norah Louisa Phillips (born 1885).  

The same year, 1912, they emigrated to Los Angeles⁴, California where he worked as a railway clerk for the Southern Pacific Railway^5,6,7.

Fred would write regularly to his Southampton relatives until his death a few years later.  His widow, Louisa, returned his body to Southampton for burial.

Notes

1. Stringer gives his names as Francis A. Toms and his birthplace as Gosport, Hants.
2. When he signed on he gave his age as 31.
3. The address (Allandale, Hillside Avenue, Portswood, Southampton) was that of his elder brother William Charles Toms who resided there until his death in 1962.
4. 1920 census says they emigrated 1913.
5. In his draft registration card his address is given as 919 West 3rd St. Los Angeles. 
6. In the 1920 census they were shown living at 901 35th Street, Los Angeles.  They were being visited by Nora'a brother Albert (a theatre stage manager).  Fred was listed as a 'Check clerk, Railway'.
7. In the 1930 census they were living at 3836 Seneca Street, Los Angeles and were being visited by Benjamin J. Thomas (now a railway steward, who had also emigrated in 1912) and his wife Polly.

References and Sources

Crew Particulars of Engagement, Public Record Office (BT100/259)
Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, Agreements and Crew Lists Oceanic January ? August 1912
1920,1930 US Census
1891-1911 British Census
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Craig Stringer (2003) Titanic People (CDROM)