Mr Walter George Ridout

Walter George Ridout was born in Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, England in mid-1882 and his birth was registered in Blandford in the June quarter of that year. His parents were Frederick Ridout (b. 1845) and Martha Poor (b. 1849), both natives of Tarrant Gunville who had married on March 3, 1870. They would go on to have ten children, two of whom died in infancy: Emily Eliza (b. 1871), Harry (b. 1874), Robert George (b. 1877), Ellen Jane (b. 1879), Frederick James (b. 1886), Minnie Annie (b. 1888), Rose Rebecca (b. 1891) and Walter.

Walter first appears on the 1891 census. The family had moved from Dorset to Southbourne-on-Sea, Christchurch around 1890 and are listed as living at Rose Villa, 1 Bellevue Road. Walter's father is described as a coachman. Walter is absent from the 1901 census but his family still living in East Christchurch, his father now working as a draper's porter. His mother died around 1910 and by the time of the 1911 census his widowed father is living alone at 2 Fairlight Villas, Croydon Road, Caterham Valley, Surrey. Walter is listed as a boarder at 6 Queen Annes Buildings, Canal Walk, Southampton and is described as an unmarried steward working at sea.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 6 Queen Annes Buildings, Southampton. His last ship had been the Olympic. As a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

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

References and Sources

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