Encyclopedia Titanica

Philip Joseph Stokes

Second Class Passenger

Philip Stokes

Mr Philip Joseph Stokes was born in Egham, Surrey, England on 12 October 1887, later being baptised on 4 December that year in St Jude's Church, Englefield Green, Egham.

He was the eldest child of Philip Joseph Stokes (b. 1864), a bricklayer, and Sarah Ann Ward (b. 1863), both of London, who had married in Egham in 1886 and who went on to have a total of eight children, losing two in infancy. Their surviving children, besides Philip, were: Albert (b. 1892), Lily (b. 1895), Rose (b. 1897), Maud Violet (b. 1899) and Horace Alfred (b. 1905).

The 1901 census shows Philip and his family living at 19 Russell Road, Peckham, London. Like his father, Philip became a bricklayer. By the time of the 1911 census the family were living at 11 Barmeston Road, Catford, London but Philip was absent. Family lore states that he had become involved with a girl who was already betrothed and his parents paid for him to go to America to keep him occupied. He crossed the Atlantic in 1910 and spent time in Detroit, Michigan, appearing on the 1910 census there. Apparently the young woman wrote to him after reconsidering her situation, asking him to return and he arrived back in England on 13 December 1911 aboard the Campania. The identity of his suitor is unknown.

For his return to the USA Philip boarded the Titanic in Southampton on 10 April 1912 as a second class passenger (ticket number 13540 which cost £10, 10s), giving his last address as 91 Hawstead Road, Catford, London and his destination as the home of his uncle Philip O'Grady in Kewanee, Illinois.

Mr Stokes died in the sinking. His body was recovered by the MacKay Bennett, #81 and was buried at sea on 24 April 1912:

NO. 81. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 35. - HAIR, FAIR.

CLOTHING - Blue serge coat and trousers; grey cardigan; white shirt; flannel singlet.

EFFECTS - Gold watch and chain, and fob: pocket book; knife; keys; gold pin; silver match box; fountain pen; gold ring marked "P.S.", cheque on Dominion Bank, payable at Windsor, Ont., for $243.12; memo book; Masonic button; photo; in purse. £11 9s. 8d., and 1 dime.

SECOND CLASS NAME. -

PHILIP JOSEPH STOKES,
91 Hawstead Rd., Catford, S.E.

His estate, worth £48, 12s, 6d, was administered to his father on 24 May 1912 and his parents were also assisted financially by the Titanic Relief Fund.

His father spent his last days in the Oakcroft Rest Home in Grove Park, London and he died on 4 February 1951. What became of his mother is uncertain.

References and Sources

Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279]).
Marriages, births, deaths and injuries that have occurred on board during the voyage (PRO London, BT 100/259-260)
Record of Bodies and Effects: Passengers and Crew, S.S. Titanic (Public Archives of Nova Scotia) (#81)

Comment and discuss

  1. mary mason

    mary mason

    can anyone tell me about this man? was he married, did he have children what were his parents names etc. any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. thanks
  2. Shane Worthy

    Shane Worthy

    Mary, First of all, there is a wonderful biography on this very website. Try here for information concerning how old he was when the Titanic sank,his last residence, his occupation, boarding information, destination, and about his recovered body:
  3. Shane Worthy

    Shane Worthy

    On this page is also his probate report: Have Fun! All Ahead Full!
  4. Shane Worthy

    Shane Worthy

    Here is his body description:
  5. Shane Worthy

    Shane Worthy

    It seems that everything there is to know is most likely on this very site! Happy Hunting! All Ahead Full!
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Titanic Passenger Summary

Name: Mr Philip Joseph Stokes
Age: 24 years 6 months and 3 days (Male)
Nationality: English
Last Residence: at 91 Hawstead Road London, England
Occupation: Bricklayer
Embarked: Southampton on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 13540, £10 10s
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body recovered by: Mackay-Bennett (No. 81)
Buried at Sea on Wednesday 24th April 1912

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