Mr James Billows

James Billows was born around 1892 in Southampton, Hampshire, England. His parents, Joseph and Ellen Billows, both Hampshire natives, had married around 1872 ¹. No official record of his birth, nor the marriage of his parents, has been found.

James first appears on the 1901 census aged 8, living at 7 Castle Gardens with his parents and siblings: his married sister Ellen Brander (b. 1882), Henry (b. 1888), Laura (b. 1891), and Andrew (b. 1896). His father is listed as a general dock labourer. At the time of the 1911 census James is living with parents, this time at 28 Bell Street, Southampton. The 1911 census indicates that James was one of 9 children born to his parents, 8 of whom survived infancy.

When James signed on to the Titanic as a trimmer, he gave his address as 28 Bell Street, Southampton. As a trimmer he could expect to receive wage of £5 10s per month. His previous ship had been the Olympic.

James Billows was lost in the Titanic disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

References and Sources

1. From 1911 census