Mr Frederick Ernest Woodford

Frederick Ernest Woodford was born 1 June 1871 in Boldre, Lymington, Hampshire, England. He was the son of Francis Woodford (1829-1896) and Charlotte Bound  (1840-1910).

His parents were both Hampshire-natives and his father had been married previously to Eliza Charlotte Bendell (1832-1861) and had four children from that marriage: Thomas Henry (b. 1852), Edwin Samuel (b. 1853), John James (b. 1858) and George (b. 1861). He married Charlotte Bound in 1863 following his first wife's death and they had at least ten children: Henry Charles(b. 1864), Arthur (b. 1866), Frank William (b. 1869), Horace Leonard (b. 1874), George Eli (b. 1876), two daughters named Alice Maud (one b. 1878 and who died a year later, and another born in 1880), Charlotte Elizabeth (b. 1883), Emily May (b. 1885) and Frederick.

Frederick first appears on the 1881 census living at "Norley," in Boldre, Hampshire and his father is described as a labourer. On the 1891 census Frederick is listed as a boarder at 181 Back Road, Winton, Hampshire and he is described as a labourer and unmarried but he is absent by the time of the 1901 census.

Frederick was married in Poole, Dorset in 1902 to Susan Anstey (b. November 5, 1882 in Branksea Island, Dorset) and according to the 1911 census they had four children, two of whom died in infancy. Their surviving children were Susan Mary (b. April 19, 1907) and Annie Freda (b. 1911). On the 1911 census the family are listed as living at 14 Clovelly Road, Southampton and Frederick gives his profession as a Seaman on the yacht Atlanta.

When he signed on to the Titanic in Southampton he gave his address as 14 Clovelly Road and his last ship as the Minnehaha. As a greaser he could expect to earn monthly wages of £6 10s.

Frederick Woodford was lost in the Titanic disaster. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#163), and was buried at Fairview Cemetary, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 6 May 1912. His grave remained unmarked for many years.

© Bob Knuckle, Canada

His widow Susan did not remarry and died aged 33 in 1915. His youngest daughter Annie had died the previous year aged 3. His elder daughter Susan, following the death of both her parents and a younger sibling within 3 years, was taken in by an aunt. She was married in New Forest in 1933 to Reginald William Cronan and they had two sons, John and Brian. She lived in New Forest for the rest of her life and died in 1985, predeceasing her husband.

Notes

1. The U.S. Senate crew list lists the first initial as H.
2. The address in the Senate list does not agree with the address in the Recovered Body list.

References and Sources

White Star Line (1912.) Record of Bodies and Effects (Passengers and Crew S.S. "Titanic") Recovered by Cable Steamer "MacKay Bennett" Including Bodies Buried at Sea and Bodies Delivered at Morgue in Halifax, N.S.
Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)
United States Senate, Washington 1912. n° 806, Crew List
Hermann Söldner (ed.) (2000) RMS Titanic: Passenger and Crew List 10 April 1912-15 April 1912. ä wie Ärger Verlag.