Mr William Joseph Douton

Mr William James Downton, 54, from Rochester, New York, boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second class passenger together with Peter David McKane. To reach their destination Rochester, they bought ticket number 38403 for £26. He last resided in Guernsey (at Mrs Cornaille, near Vale Church).

Downton was married and his wife awaited him at New York, but when the survivor lists were published she could only find Miss Lilian Bentham, also from Rochester.

Mr Douton died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Notes
He is usually listed as "Douton", but family members suggest the name was actually "Downton". He is listed as Downton on the passenger list.

References
Jay Henry Mowbray (ed.) (1998) Sinking of the Titanic, Eyewitness Accounts. Dover Publications, Mineaola, N.Y. ISBN 0 486 40298 3

Sources
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279]).
Marriages, births, deaths and injuries that have occurred on board during the voyage (PRO London, BT 100/259-260)

Acknowledgements
Joseph Downton, USA
Hermann Söldner, Germany

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Mr Peter David McKane

Travelling Companions
Miss Lillian W. Bentham Godchild