Ernest John Farenden

Mr Ernest John Farenden was born on 1 July 1890 at Nile Street, Emsworth, Hampshire.

He was the son of William Farenden (b. 1850), a journeyman baker, and Elizabeth Louisa Hammond (b. 1853); his mother and father, both Hampshire natives, had married in Portsmouth in late 1876.

His siblings were: William (1878-1940), Elizabeth (1880-1952, later Mrs Albert Frank Reypert), Frances (b. 1882, later Mrs George Fleet), George Edward (1884-1948) and Frank Albert (1889-1889).

On the 1891 census, Ernest is listed as living with his family at 321 Nile Street, Warblington, Emsworth. His mother Elizabeth died on 7 May 1900 aged 46 and the remaining family appeared on the 1901 census living at 23 South Street in Emsworth. His father was remarried in the latter half of that year to Ernest’s maternal aunt Frances Hammond (b. 1858), a “cripple” since early childhood; they operated their own bakery and on the 1911 census were still living at 23 South Street in Emsworth, with William Farenden being described as a breadmaker and his wife as an assistant in the business. 

As a boy, Ernest was a choirboy in his local church, St James’ in Emsworth and was a member of the Church Lads’ Brigade. He and his brother George followed in the footsteps of their father and also became bakers; Ernest was not present on the 1911 census, perhaps at sea at the time.

By 1912 Farenden had been in the service of White Star Line for several years, his first voyage being to the Mediterranean aboard Romanic, aboard which he completed several trips before transferring to Olympic. He was aboard that vessel in 1911 at the time of her collision with HMS Hawke, an incident that unnerved him and other crewmen who were only too glad to transfer to the new Titanic. He had recently become engaged to be married, but the identity of his fiancée is currently unknown.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 4 April 1912, Farenden gave his address as 23 South Street, Emsworth, Hampshire. His previous ship had been the Olympic, and as a confectioner, he received monthly wages of £8. He posted his parents a picture postcard depicting Titanic from the ship whilst at Queenstown. It read:

Hope you and father are well. Did you see the ship which ran into H.M.S. Hawke in the Solent. It might have been serious. Don't you think this [the Titanic] a fine ship. Give my kind regards to all - Much love, Ern.

Ernest Farenden died in the sinking, and his body, if recovered, was never identified. His parents, although concerned for his safety, initially refused to believe the worst until there was official confirmation that he was lost. His stepmother firmly believed that if he was saved he would never go back to sea again.

He was remembered in a memorial service in his church St James’. The rector officiating commented:

Amongst those who were drowned was Ernest Farenden, who was a confectioner on board, and a son of Mr and Mrs Farenden, of South Street, Emsworth. Ernest Farenden was a member of the choir of St James’ Church when a boy, and also one of our company of the C.L.B. He was doing well, and looking forward to an early marriage. Our hearts go out in sympathy to Mr and Mrs Farenden and their family, and above all to her whom Ernest Farenden had chosen as his bride. — Hampshire Post and Southsea Observer, 10 May 1912

The following memorial appeared in the Portsmouth Evening News on 15 April 1913:

FARENDEN－In loving memory of Ernest John, who was lost in the Titanic disaster, April 15th, 1912. Fondly loved and so sadly missed by dad and auntie.

He who walked the lonely deep
Has given thee, beloved sleep
Thy Life on earth was all too short
With Christ we trust you're safe in port

His father, William, continued to live in Emsworth, later moving to the St James area. He died on 25 December 1917. His aunt Frances, who involved herself heavily with a local charity, died in Emsworth in February 1939. Ernest’s home, 23 South Street in Emsworth, is now a bar and restaurant.

Ernest John Farenden is remembered on a family headstone in Warblington Cemetery, Havant, Hampshire (Old section, plot 225).

Also in Loving Memory of
Ernest John
Youngest Son of the above 
who was Lost in Titanic Disaster of April 15, 1912
In his 22nd year.

"He who walked the Lonely Deep
Has given thee Beloved Sleep 
Thy life on Earth was all too short 
With Christ we trust you rest in Port ".