Richard Stephen Carr

Mr Richard Stephen Carr was born in Portsea, Hampshire, England on 26 December 1884.

He was the son of Richard Carr (b. 3 March 1842) of Hastings, Sussex, and Jane Ahern (b. 7 July 1851) of Queenstown, Co Cork, Ireland who had married in Portsea in late 1871. His father was a boatswain in the Royal Navy. 

Richard was reportedly one of fourteen¹ children born to his parents, with seven living past infancy. His known siblings were: Mary Margaret (1872-1881), Robert (b. 1876), Annie Teresa (b. 1878), Cecilia Mary (1882-1883), Richard Ernest (1883-1884), Thomas Patrick (b. 1886), Winifred Margaret (b. 1887), Cecil John (1889-1978) and William Michael (b. 1893).

Richard and his family appear on the 1891 census when they were living at 65 Gloucester Street, Portsea, Hampshire. The family do not appear on the 1901 census, albeit for his brother Thomas who was listed as a pupil at the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, London. Richard himself is known to have seen military service over this period, possibly during the Boer War, but records of his activities are sparse; one record lists him as being a member of the Dragoons of the Line Regiment in which he enlisted on an unspecified date circa 1902. However, that same year he was charged with desertion and sentenced to 112 days of hard labour in HMP Wakefield before being released on 19 March 1902.

Carr's prison record, HMP Wakefield

Returning to civilian life and working as a waiter, Carr later joined the Royal Navy on 20 April 1903, serving aboard only one vessel, the Good Hope until 11 April 1904 when he was discharged as being unfit for service. Of good character, he stood at 5' 7" and had dark hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He also sported a tattoo on the back of his right hand.

On the 1911 census Richard was still unmarried and living with his parents and several siblings at Malvern Cottage, Winchester Road, Southampton. He was described as a seaman for the U.C.M.S. Company.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 in Southampton Carr gave his address as Malvern Cottage, Winchester Road, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Olympic and as a trimmer he could expect monthly wages of £5, 10s.

Richard Stephen Carr, who was reportedly engaged to be married, died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His father died in 1915 whilst his mother rallied for years to come; by 1939 she was living as a boarder at 74 Church Street, Southampton but her whereabouts following that are unknown.