Mr Leslie Williams

Courtesy: David Huxtable, UK

Mr Leslie Williams was a blacksmith from Tonypandy, Rhondda, Wales. He was a professional boxer (bantamweight) and was travelling to the USA under contract for a series of boxing contests. He was travelling with a fellow Rhondda boxer, David Bowen, and was the better known of the two (1). His ring weight was 8 stones 10 pounds (122 pounds). He was regarded as a promising fighter.

Williams was married with one son. He and Bowen booked passage through the Cardiff office of Dean and Dawson, tourist and steamship agents, 67 St. Mary Street, Cardiff (ticket number 54636, £16 2s).

They boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third class passengers, both died in the sinking.

Williams' body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#14) and was buried at sea on 22 April 1912.

Notes
They were trained in South Wales by George Cundick. In his younger days George had been sent to India with the British Army, where he won many trophies for his boxing talents.

Documents
Record of Bodies and Effects: Passengers and Crew, S.S. Titanic (Public Archives of Nova Scotia) (#14)

References
Rhondda Leader
Western Mail
South Wales Daily News, 17 April 1912, p.12
South Wales Daily News, 10 May 1912, p.5
South Wales Echo, 15th April 1912, p.3

Acknowledgements
Dave Gittins, Australia
David Huxtable, UK
Sian Prescott, UK
Karan Price, UK (Granddaughter of George Cundick)

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Mr David John "Dai" Bowen