Ernest George Smith was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1885 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of that year. He was the son of Robert John Smith (b. 1849 in St Helier, Jersey) and Mary Ann Wheeler (b. 1852 in Southampton) who had married in Southampton in 1873.
Ernest was one of ten children, six of whom lived past infancy. His known siblings were: Frederick (b. 1875), Martha (b. 1876), Albert (b. 1878), Thomas (b. 1880), Mabel (b. 1884), Sidney (b. 1889) and Ethel (b. 1891).
Ernest first appears on the 1891 census when he and his family were living at 49 Craven (?) Street, St Mary, Southampton and his father was described as a painter. The family have moved to 12 Godfrey's Court, Southampton by the time of the 1901 census and a 16-year-old Ernest is described as an errand boy. He was not present on the 1911 census with his family, perhaps at sea, but they were listed as living at 27 Longcroft Street, Southampton.
When Ernest signed on to the Titanic¸ on 6 April 1912 in Southampton, he gave his address as 1 St Mary's Buildings, (Southampton). His previous ship had been the Oceanic. As a trimmer he could expect monthly wages of £5 10s.
Ernest Smith, who was unmarried, was lost in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.
Ernest's mother seemingly passed away less than a year after her son. His father died in 1934.
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can anyone tell me anything about this fireman smith . i have only found him on a couple of sites but no information about him. thankyou sue
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There was no fireman called Smith. Maybe you mean Ernest George Smith, who worked in the boiler rooms as a trimmer. We know that he died, but of his life very little is known other than the usual details recorded when signing on - ie his name and address, age (26) and county of birth (Hampshire). He was signed on for the 8-12 watch, so he would have been working at the time of the collision with the ice.
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Susan - Perhaps the following from my database might help? Smith, Ernest George. Lived at 1 St Marys Buildings, St Marys, Southampton. Occupation - Trimmer. 26 years old. (Born in Hampshire). In memoriam, The Hampshire Independent, Saturday, April 17, 1915: In loving memory of Ernest George, the beloved son of Robert John Smith . . . Sadly missed. (From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913) Number 620. Smith, Alice Jane. Class G dependent. (Extract from Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book, Southampton Area, November 1914) Case Number 620. Smith. Alice Jane Smith, widowed dependent mother, age 48, health precarious - asthmatical - no means of livelihood except trifling assistance from poor relatives. Recommend that allowance be extended until age 70 or until remarriage. (From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area) Date January 29th 1914. Case number 620. That an allowance of 5/6d per week be paid for life.
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Hello Susan, A correction to what Brian posted: "Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913) Number 620. Smith, Alice Jane. Class G dependent." does not relate to Ernest George Smith, trimmer. Ernest Smith does not feature in that booklet. - Case No 620 was J Smith, Assistant Baker.
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