Encyclopedia Titanica

Frank Leonard White

Mr Frank Leonard White (Trimmer) was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England on 22 November 1884.

He was the son of James White (b. 1853), a naval seaman, and Elizabeth Rendell (b. 1854). Both his parents were native to Southampton and had married in 1882.

Frank was one of five children, his siblings being: Rupert James (b. 1883), William (b. 1886), Bertie John (b. 1893) and Arthur Charles (b. 1895).

Frank first appears on the 1891 census. At that time his father was absent and likely at sea and he, his mother and brothers are listed as living at 84 Derby Road, Southampton, the home of his maternal grandparents Rupert and Susannah Rendall. By the time of the 1901 census he is 16-years-old and by now living with his family at 27 St Andrews Road, St Marys, Southampton. Later that year, on 1 December, he enrolled in the Royal Marine Light Infantry's Portsmouth Division.

When the 1911 census was conducted , Frank was absent and seemingly at sea. His parents and siblings were listed as living at 14 Northbrook Road, Nichols Towns, Southampton, his father now described as a naval pensioner.

When he signed on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, he gave his address as 14 Northbrook Road, (Southampton). His previous ship had been the Oceanic and as a trimmer he could expect to earn monthly wages of £5, 10s.

Frank White, who was unmarried, died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Hard on the heels of Frank's death came the death of his father James only one month after his own. His mother continued to reside in Southampton where she died in 1940.

His younger brother Arthur later served in the Royal Field Artillery, 156th Brigade. He was killed in action on 21 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

References and Sources

United States Senate, Washington 1912. n° 806, Crew List
Don Lynch (1997) Titanic Commutator 21-3
The Hampshire Independent, 18 May 1912

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Titanic Crew Summary

Name: Mr Frank Leonard White
Age: 27 years 4 months and 23 days (Male)
Nationality: English
Marital Status: Single
Last Residence: at 14 Northbrook Road Southampton, Hampshire, England
Occupation: Trimmer
Last Ship: Oceanic
Embarked: Southampton on Saturday 6th April 1912
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body Not Identified

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