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Message: [QUOTE="Thomas William Goldsmith, post: 56338, member: 135483"] Monica, a neighbor of my Great-Great- Grandparents sent a letter to my Great-Grandparents asking them to watch over his brother during the crossing on the Titanic. His name was Alfred Rush. His birthday was on April 14th. My Grandfather told me about him. He was excited about receiving a refund for an overcharge for his luggage onboard the ship. My Grandfather didn't elaborate on any celebration for the occasion. Less than 16 hours later he made the decision to stay with the men as the ship went down. You see up till then he was only allowed to wear knickers,[a mid length between the knee and ankle pair of pants]. On his 16th birthday he was able to wear long pants. This signified a rite of passage from adolescence to manhood for male children during that era. When the ship was sinking, my Grandfather and his mother were permitted to ascend to the life boat deck. Alfred was told to go through by the crew at that point. he pulled back and stated the he was a man and would stay with the men. A decision that cost him his life. [/QUOTE]