Mr William Watson Lucas

Mr William Watson Lucas, 31, was born in Poplar, London on 31 January 1881 ¹ the son of Clement Orestes Lucas (1840 - bef 1891) a Mariner², and Martha (nee Tanner, 30 Aug 1846 - 24 Jun 1932).  When he was baptized at the Church of All Saints, Polar on 24th June 1881, the family were living at 56 Cotton Street, Poplar.

In the 1911 census he is listed as a Waiter (Merchant Marine).  He was living at home, 3 Cardigan Terrace, Southampton, with his mother, two of his four surviving siblings and a nephew.

He initially signed-on to the Titanic in Belfast for her delivery trip to Southampton. When he signed-on again, on 4 April 1912, he gave his age as 30.  He was still living at 3 Cardigan Terrace. His last ship had been the Olympic. As a saloon steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

Lucas was rescued in collapsible A.

At the time of his surviving identity card (1919) he was again serving aboard the Olympic as a Bedroom Steward.

He died at North Baddesley Southampton in 1944³.

Notes

1. In his CR10 identity card he gives his date of birth as 31 Jan 1880.  But his birth was registered in March 1881 and he was baptized in June 1881 so the later date seems more likely.  When he signed on he gave his age as 30.
2. In William's baptism record he is listed as a Mariner; in the 1881 census he does not appear but his wife is listed as a Steward's wife; in another son Clement Lucas Lucas's baptism record (10 Sep 1884) he is listed as a ship's steward.
3. GRO Ref: Southampton Apr 1944 2c 11

References and Sources

Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)
Particulars of Engagement (Belfast), Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (TRANS 2A/45 381)
London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906
1881 -1911 Census
CR10 Identity card #820369 c.1919 (National Archives)
General Register Office Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths
 

Related Articles and Documents

		WILLIAM WATSON LUCAS
	(1912)	FRANK PRENTICE, EDWARD BROWN AND WILLIAM LUCAS