Andrew,
Here is what I haveon your great grandfather. I have an interest in him being as I am from Leicestershire, but also because his family lived close to my grandmother's family, when she was growing up.
Mr Denzeil John Jarvis was born in Llangattock Juxta Caerleon, Monmouthshire, Wales, in July 1864, and was christened there on July 5th. Aged 47 in April 1912, he was the son of Matthew George Jarvis, and his wife, Elizabeth, nee Powis. Denzeil’s father had been born in Hay-on-Wye in 1841, and his mother came from Wigmore, near Hereford. The couple had married in Leominster in 1859. Denzeil was brother to William, Matthew Elard, Olivia Mary, born in Leicester in 1868, Sidney Harold, Francis Percival, born in 1872, Leslie Powis, born in 1875, Basil Vivian, born in 1877, Rodney Talbot Jarvis and Victor.
After Denzeil’s birth Matthew Jarvis moved his family, first to Birmingham, and then, in around 1868, to Leicester. By 1881 the family were living at 143, Cobden Street, and Matthew was a joiner.
Matthew Jarvis established the firm of Matthew Jarvis and Sons, joiners, builders and staircase builders, to which Denzeil first worked.
On February 7th 1889 Denzeil married Margaret Burrows, a 19 year old spinster, at St. Saviours Church, Leicester. Margaret was the daughter of Benjamin Burrows, and his wife, Mary Ann. Margaret’s nephew would later become the composer, Benjamin Burrows. The Jarvis’ settled to married life at 12, Wimbledon Street, where on March 13th 1890 a daughter was born to the couple, Margaret Annie. Sadly Margaret died within a short time of her birth.
Following their daughter’s death Denzeil and Margaret moved again, to 8, Brunswick Street, where they were living when the census was taken in 1891. By this time Denzeil had established his own joinery business at Crafton Street. By 1902 he was trading as Denzeil John Jarvis and Co, shop fitters and shop front builders, at Mansfield Street, and was living at Spa Place, 40 Humberstone Road, where he and Margaret had lived since 1898. By that time, Denzeil and Margaret had two sons, Denzeil John and Wellesley, born in 1895.
By 1902 Denzeil had also moved into other areas of work, for he was listed in the directories for the city as an engineer, of Wadkin and Co. Wadkin and Co had been formed in 1897 by Joseph Wadkin, in order to make milling machines, but it soon branched out into making a range of machinery for industry. Joseph Wadkin invited his brother-in-law, William Jarvis, Denzeil’s brother, to become part of the firm, and this in turn brought in Denzeil, who by 1912, was a managing partner.
By 1912 Denzeil was a successful businessman in Leicester, and he and his wife were living at ‘The Crest’, Stoneygate. Denzeil wanted to expand his business, recognising the growth of the motor trade. In April he embarked on a six week business trip to America, where he would present a unique design of a motor car carburettor to Henry Ford. Denzeil bought a second class ticket for the Titanic to cross the Atlantic, number 237565, costing £13, and sailed on the ship from Southampton on April 10th.
Little is known about Denzeil’s voyage on the Titanic. However, he was glimpsed twice on the day of the accident by Dulwich schoolmaster, Lawrence Beesley. On Sunday April 14th Lawrence spent the afternoon seated in the second class lounge, where he spent part of the time filling in his baggage declaration slip. Close by Denzeil struggled to complete his own slip, and asked the advice of Steward Kellend as to how he should declare the patent on his carburettor.
After the collision with the iceberg, Lawrence came across Mr Jarvis again, who had been in the second class smoking room at the time of the collision. Lawrence asked how high the iceberg had been, and Mr Jarvis replied. “Well, I am accustomed to estimating distance and I put it at between eighty and ninety feet.”
Denzeil John Jarvis died when the Titanic sank. His body was not among those recovered by ships searching for victims after.
Denzeil left a will leaving his entire estate to his wife, Margaret. The British Titanic Relief Fund awarded his parents, Matthew and Elizabeth, a weekly allowance of 7 shillings, as they had been dependent on the income of their son.
A memorial cross was later erected to the memory of Denzeil Jarvis, in the churchyard of St. Mary’s, Knighton, Leicester, not far from Denzeil’s home.
As a footnote I can add that Denzeil's former home is reputed to be haunted, not by Mr Jarvis, but by his widow, Margaret.
Hope this is of interest to you.
