Herbert Harry Christmas was born in Alton, Hampshire, England in 1878 and his birth was registered in the September quarter of that year. It is unknown who Herbert's father was and his mother appears never to have been married up to that point. His mother was Julia Christmas (born 1850 in Selbourne, Hampshire) had 3 illegitimate children before she married. The eldest was Frederick William1, Jane followed by Herbert Harry.
Herbert first appears on the 1881 census when he, his mother and sister Jane were living at Normandy Street, Woodmans Barracks, Alton, Hampshire. His mother was described as an unmarried rag picker. She was married at the end of 1881 to William Cooper (b. 1842 in Hampshire), a brewery labourer, and they had a son named Arthur in 1882.
On the 1891 census Herbert, listed as Herbert Cooper, is living with his family at Tan House Lane, Alton. They are at the same address on the 1901 census albeit for Herbert who is absent, perhaps already at sea.
Hebert was married in Southampton in 1901 to Amelia Ingram (b. 1880 in Southampton) but they would have no children.
On the 1911 census Herbert's wife Amelia is listed alone at 4 Brintons Road, St Mary, Southampton, with Herbert presumably away at sea.
When Herbert signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 4 Brintons Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Oceanic. As a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.
Herbert Christmas died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. He is remembered on a headstone in Southampton's Old Cemetery.
Herbert's widow Amelia did not remarry but would die, sadly, just over a year after her husband on 29 April 1913. She was 33.
Herbert's mother Julia remained for the rest of her life in Alton, Hampshire and died there in 1933.
His sister Jane had been married in 1908 to Samuel Davey and she had four children. She died in 1960 in Alton.
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