Mr René Aimé Lievens

Mr René Aimé Lievens (1), 24, was born in Heldergem, Belgium on 22nd October, 1887 (2) and was a neighbour of Alphonse De Pelsmaeker (their farms were less than 100 yards away). René's father made wooden shoes all his life but his son did not want to follow in this trade. René became a labourer and continued to live with his mother in Heldergem after his father died. Like the others, he decided to become a farm hand in the United States to help harvest sugar beets. Money was certainly more plentiful in America so there was no reason to stay. René was 24-years-old and travelled with Alphonse and the others from the Denderhoutem area. Like many others, René only planned to stay in America temporarily before returning home.

He boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number 345781, £9 10s).

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

Notes
1. The original passenger list has him incorrectly listed as "Zievens".
2. Another source gives his birthday as 18th October, 1887.

References
Walter Lord (1976) A Night to Remember. London, Penguin. ISBN 0 14 004757 3

Sources
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279])
Herman De Wulf and Michael A. Findlay (1998) The Belgians and the Titanic. Voyage. #27

Acknowledgements
Herman DeWulf, Belgium
Michael A. Findlay, USA
Georges Picavet, Belgium
Kassandra Picavet, Belgium