Mr Alfred Emest Pearce

Alfred Ernest Pearce, 24, was born circa 1888 in Cranfield, County Down, Ireland (modern-day Northern Ireland)¹. He was born to English parents Benjamin Thomas Pearce (1856-1924) and Sarah Ann Symes (1858-1938). His father was a coastguard and this may explain the family's presence in Ireland at the time, Cranfield being located on Carlingford Lough and in the locale of several fishing villages.

Alfred's parents had married in 1878 in Weymouth, Dorset. His siblings were Susan Caroline, Alice Maude, Beatrice May, John, Florence Mable and Gertrude Ada. Only he and his sister Alice were born in Ireland.

By the time of the 1901 census the family were resident at the Coast Guard Station in Salcombe Regis, Devon where his father was Chief Officer. At the time of the 1911 census the family had relocated to the Coast Guard Station in West Cliff, Bournemouth. At that time Alfred Pearce was described as a 23-year-old, single clerk who worked in a printer's office.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 27 Richmond Street, Southampton. His last ship had been the Oceanic. As a third class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

Pearce died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.