Mr William Frank Janaway

William Frank Janaway was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1877 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of that year. He was the son of William Janaway (1852-1910) and Rosina Kate Teague (1853-1934), both natives of Southampton who had married there in 1875.

William first appears on the 1881 census living at 59 High Street, Holy Rood, Hampshire with his parents and younger sibling Stanley John (b. 1878). His father is described as a jeweller's porter. On the 1891 census the family are living at 14 Albany Road, Millbrook, Hampshire. William is described as a printer compositor and his parents have welcomed more children: Mabel Selina (b. 1881), Daisy Ethel (b. 1883), Eva May (b. 1885), Leonard Rodney (b. 1887) and Bertram Lewis (b. 1889).

By the time of the 1901 census the family are living at 65 Paynes Road, Freemantle, Southampton and have welcomed two more children: Percy Edward (b. 1892) and Ella Grace (b. 1894). William isn't present for the 1901 census, perhaps already at sea.

William was married in Weymouth, Dorset in late-1902 to Kate Rose Elizabeth Damen (b. 1877 in Dorechester, Dorset). The couple had two sons; Ronald Frank (b. November 27, 1903) and Reginald Arthur (b. 1907).

William was on board the Titanic for her delivery trip from Belfast to Southampton. When he signed-on again, in Southampton, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 1 Sir George Road, Southampton. His last ship had been the Olympic. As a bedroom steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

Janaway died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. He is mentioned on his parents' grave in Southampton Old Common Cemetery:

William Frank

Son of the Above

Drowned on S.S. Titanic 15 April 1912

Aged 35 Years Nearer Thy God To Thee

William's widow never remarried and returned to her native Dorset with both her children. She died in Weymouth in 1945. William's son Ronald was married in Dorset in 1939 to Gladys Yeatman and had one son; he died in Weymouth in 1975. His son Reginald never married and died in Weymouth in 1965.

References and Sources

Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)
Particulars of Engagement (Belfast), Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (TRANS 2A/45 381)