Mr William Ernest Ings

William Ernest Ings was born in Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1892 with his birth being registered in the second quarter of that year. He was the son of Seaward Ings (1868-1904) and Rhoda Northover (1871-1952), both natives of Southampton who had married there in 1891.

William Ings first appears on the 1901 census living at 45 Station Road, Shirley with his parents (his father was described as a carpenter and joiner) and siblings: Harold Richard (b. 1894) and Dorothea Florence (b. 1899). Another child, Victor Seaward would be born in late 1901 and died after only a few days.

William lost his sister Dorothea in 1904 and his father passed away a few months later that same year.

By the time of the 1911 census William is living with his mother, brother Harold and grandfather Richard Northover, at 45 Stratton Road, Shirley. He is described as a booking clerk.

When William signed-on to the Titanic, on 9 April 1912, he gave his address as 45 Stratton Road, Shirley. The Titanic was his first ship. As a scullion he received monthly wages of £3 10s.

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

His mother was remarried in 1914 to Edward Cresswell (1885-1975) and she would have another son in 1916, Leslie. She remained in Southampton for the rest of her life and died there in 1952. His brother Harold was married twice: first to Louisa Dennett in 1922 and secondly to Louisa Hunter in 1935, following the death of his first wife in 1929, having one child only from his first marriage. He died in London in 1958.

References and Sources

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