Mr Thomas Benjamin Kirkaldy (Thomas Clark)

Thomas Benjamin Kirkaldy was born in 1876 in St James, London, England. He was the son of Robert Alexander Kirkaldy (born 1854 in Surrey) and Sarah Davies (born 1852 in Cardiganshire). His parents had married in London in 1874.

By the time of the 1881 census the family were living at 40 Jermyn Street, Westminster. His father was described as a club steward and the family appears to be a wealthy one with at least two servants in their employ. Also present was Thomas' younger sister Catherine Emily Victoria, born in 1878 in Hendon. The family are not present for either the 1891 or 1901 census returns.

Thomas Kirkaldy was married in Liverpool on June 8, 1899 (1) to Martha Anne Price (born 1874 in Liverpool). In 1901 Thomas and his wife resided at 154 Leopold Road, West Derby, Liverpool, according to the 1901 census although Thomas absent during this time, possibly being away at sea. By the time of the 1911 census Thomas and his wife had a son, Frank Alexander, who had been born on March 13, 1904, and they had relocated to Hampshire and were living at Seftonmount, Hillside Avenue, Bitterne, Southampton. Thomas was described as a steward.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as Seftonmount. His last ship had been the Olympic. As a 1st class bedroom steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s. Curiously he signed on as "T. Clark".

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

Thomas' widow never remarried and died in Trowbridge, Wiltshire in 1961 aged 86. His son Frank later married in 1933 to a lady named Elizabeth Admans. He died in 1986, also in Trwobridge.

Notes

1. Liverpool, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921

References and Sources

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