Cyril Gordon Ricks was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, England in the second quarter of 1890. He was the son of George Ricks (b. 1848 in Bridgwater) and Jane Reynold Vatcher (b. 1855 in Dorchester, Dorset) who had married in Dorset in 1873.
He was one of eleven children, with nine past infancy. His known siblings were: James Reynold (b. 1874), Arthur George (b. 1875), Roland (b. 1877), Winifred Alice (b. 1879), Percy William (b. 1881), Edith May (b. 1882), Lilian Gladys (b. 1891) and Leslie De Bac (b. 1894)
Cyril first appears on the 1891 census as a one-year-old living in George Street, Bridgwater and his father was described as a job master (?) at a hotel. The family shifted to Bournemouth, Hampshire by the time of the 1901 census, being listed as living at the Albany Temperance Hotel where his father was the manager. Cyril was listed elsewhere at 4 Taunton Road, Bridgwater, described as a boarder under the care of Mr Brian Norris (a schoolmaster) and his wife.
Reunited with his family by the time of the 1911 census and living at Summerfield, Hanley Road, Southampton, Cyril was described as a shipping storekeeper and as unmarried.
When he signed on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 1 Hanley Road (Southampton). His previous ship had been the Celtic. As one of eight first class storekeepers, Ricks could expect to earn monthly wages of £3, 15s.
Surviving storekeeper Frank Prentice later recalled that he, Ricks and storekeeper Michael Kieran jumped from the during the ship's final plunge. Prentice claimed to have encountered Ricks in the water unconscious, apparently having struck some floating wreckage. He died a short time later.
Cyril's body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#100) and buried at sea.
NO. 100 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 26 - HAIR, FAIR
CLOTHING - Steward's Uniform.
EFFECTS - Keys marked "Superior Stewards"; pocketbook with initials "C.G.R".
NO MARKS ON BODY.
STEWARD - NAME - C.G.RICKS
He is remembered on the family headstone in Wembdon road cemetery, Bridgwater, Somerset.
Comment and discuss
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On I found the story about the Rix family. The index consists of 89 issues of information about the family. Here is from issue 61: "Amazing coincidence - a letter from Glyss Burrows. Additions to the tree of Henry Deary Rix. Letters from Polly Julians Rix. Misc. transcripts of Rix and associated names. PRs St. Margarets Kings Lynn. William Henry Rix late of Wellington New Zealand. Obits. Rix family of P.E.I. Ricks on the Titanic." I do not know if anybody can get anything out of this. However there is a biography here on ET about Cyril G. Ricks, assistant Storekeeper. According to Hermann Soeldner s book he was 23 years old when he lost his lift in the disaster. There may now be a possibility to find ot exactly when he was born, and perhaps other things as well?
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On the listing for Cyril Gordon Ricks, there is a mention that "Cyril was listed elsewhere at 4, Taunton Road, Bridgwater described as a boarder under the care of Mr. Brian Norris(a schoolmaster) and his wife. I wonder where this information came from as, I believe that Mr Brian Norris was living at 16, Taunton Road at the time. Number 4 was a smallholding which was later bought by my step great grandfather and, although the premises were large, it was a two bedroomed house with only one tap, sink and WC. Any help would be appreciated.
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