Mr Rowland Winser (George Evans)

Rowland Winser was born in East Grinstead, Sussex, England in 1876¹. His birth was registered in the September quarter of that year. His parents were Albert Arthur Winser (1846-1902), a watchmaker, and Emily Day (1842-1903).

The 1881 census shows the family living at 14 London Road, East Grinstead. In addition to Rowland and his parents are his siblings Emily Kate and Frank, his grandmother Mary Day, and a boarder. The family are at the same address for the 1891 census, this time with an addition to the household, Frederick, born in 1882.

Rowland was married in Basingstoke, Hampshire in late 1899 to Jessie Annie Hibberd. Jessie was born in Basingstoke in 1879 to Tom and Annie Marie Hibberd.

Rowland and Jessie Winser had five children: Jessie Ellen (b. November 23, 1900), Gwendolen (b. July 16, 1902), Rowland Hibberd (b. February 21, 1905), Norman Eric (born March 16, 1907) and Jack (b.  March 5, 1910). By the time of the 1911 census Rowland appears to be at sea. His wife shows up as a visitor at 127 Denys Road, Southampton, with her youngest children². The address is that of her married sister Edith Mary Law and her husband James Law.

Having previously served aboard the Majestic, in 1912 when he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 2 Nightingale Grove, in Southampton, an address belonging to his brother-in-law James Law³. He also gave his name as George Evans for reasons not entirely certain. As a third class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

(Crown Copyright: Used with permission)

Rowland Winser in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Jessie Annie Winser never remarried and passed away in Southampton in 1961 aged 82.

Notes

1. He gave his birthplace as London; did he mean London Road, perhaps?
2. Jessie Ellen married in 1922 to William Street. She passed away in 1982 on the Isle of Wight.  Gwendolen married in 1921 to Raymond Mitchell. She died in 1969 in Nottingham. Rowland married in 1930 to Elsie Brechill. He died in 1975 in Bedford. Norman Eric never married and died in Southampton in 1982. Jack married Mary Williams in 1937. He passed away in 1984 in Southampton.
3. Southampton Street Directory, 1912

References and Sources

Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)