William Henry Harrison, 45, was born in Sudbury, Derbyshire, and he was the private secretary to Joseph Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line. Raised by his grandparents, he later married Ann Elizabeth Riley in 1889 and had two children. Harrison worked as a clerk and bookkeeper before joining Ismay’s service. He boarded the Titanic in Southampton alongside Ismay and Ismay’s valet, Richard Fry, occupying cabin B-94. Onboard, he wrote a letter home describing his workload and travels. Harrison perished in the Titanic disaster on 15 April 1912, and his body was recovered and buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His widow, Ann, never remarried and lived until 1948.
Mr William Henry Harrison was born in Sudbury, Derbyshire, England on 1 November 1866, being baptised on 9 December that year in Sudbury Parish Church.
He was the son of Sudbury native Caroline Harrison (b. 1850(1)), unmarried at the time of her son’s birth; the identity of his father remains unknown.
Caroline Harrison was the firstborn of Philip Harrison (b. 1822 in Boyleston, Derbyshire), an agricultural labourer, and Hannah Land (b. 1826 in Sudbury). Philip and Hannah Harrison had married in May 1849 and besides Caroline, had one other child, a son named Albert (b. 1853).
His mother may be Caroline Harrison, who was listed on the 1871 census as a servant in the wealthy Metcalfe household in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. In 1874 she was married in London to John Sewell (b. circa 1848), providing William with six half-siblings: Caroline Louisa (b. 1875), Fanny (b. 1877), Herbert John (b. 1878), Hannah Mathilda (b. 1880), Richard Thomas (b. 1884) and Florence (b. 1886). That family lived at different times in Bedfordshire, Surrey and London between 1875 and 1891; on the latter record, Caroline was recorded as a widow, her husband John having passed away the previous year.
William, on the other hand, was seemingly raised by his grandparents and appears with them on the 1871 and 1881 census records. In both instances, he is listed at Grove in Sudbury, where he was also educated.
He was married on Boxing Day (26 December) 1889 in St Chad's Church, Derby, to Ann Elizabeth Riley (b. 22 December 1867), a native of that city and the daughter of Thomas (Blacksmith) and Ellen Riley, née Maddocks. The couple had two children: Ellen (b. 1890, later Mrs Harold Townend) and Thomas William (baptised Thomas Leslie, b. 1899).
When he appeared on the 1891 census, Harrison was living at 8 Guelph (?) Street, West Derby, Lancashire and was described as a clerk and bookkeeper. The 1901 census shows the family living at 17 Sandiways Road, Wallasey, Cheshire and William was by then described as a clerk at a steamship office (presumably White Star). William and his family ultimately appeared on the 1911 census living at Sudbury on Grove Road, Wallasey, and he was then described as a private secretary. His employer was Joseph Bruce Ismay.
A business card was found in his effects
Harrison boarded the Titanic at Southampton (ticket number 112059) with Mr Ismay and Ismay's valet Richard Fry.. Aboard, he occupied cabin B-94.
As he travelled on the first leg of the journey between Southampton and Queenstown, he wrote a letter home, presumably to his wife, whom he addressed as Nancy. In the letter, he mentions his 'boss' as being in good shape and that he was being kept so busy that he had not seen any of the passengers at all.
"RMS "Titanic". April 10, 1912.
My own dear Nancy,
Just a line before we get away from Queenstown to let you know how I am getting on.I had a most rotten journey to London: from Manchester to Derby I travelled third class, 12 in the compartment the train was absolutely packed, people standing up in the first and third class dining cars who had to be cleared out into before they could have dinner, they told me that some people never sat down all the way.
Although I got into a first class compartment at Derby, I had to have the seat with the arm turned back which is not the most comfortable in the world. We were an hour late into Saint Pancras getting there at 11 o'clock. Those who travel much by rail these days are learning not to expect too much.
I got down quite comfortably this morning and found the boss [Mr Ismay] in good shape. We started in, + I had to work all afternoon writing letters to post at Queenstown, and I expect another dose in the morning.
We have 318 first class passengers, quite a small lot for this ship, but I haven't seen any of them yet with being so busy. I have a seat at the purser's table again, and there is WT Stead, the great writer on social subjects there too, quite an old chap now. All the rest are men [perhaps he means officers?]. There is, of course, very little difference between the Titanic and the Olympic, a few improvements.
Thursday
We are just getting up to Queenstown, I have just a few minutes to finish off. I did not get to bed till after midnight getting things ready for Q'town, if these are going to be my trips in future, I am fed up, and shall avail of any opportunity he gives me to stay behind – and the annoying part of it is that people think it is a holiday!
I thought I saw that solicitor from Warrington we met at Monaville last year pass the carriage at Liverpool while you were there – did you see him? I think the fool who sat by me was drunk, he rode nearly all the way with his head out of the window, to cool his hot head, I should think.
I suppose Tom [their son] turned up all right, in spite of your fears. And I hope you got home in good shape. I wonder if you have started that cleaning which worried you so much. You do seem to take some things seriously these days why is it. I am sure everything is the same (or at any rate no worse) than it has been for years.
There dear, I have told you all that has happened to me, nothing interesting as Nelly [their daughter] says.
It only remains for me to say goodbye with best love and lots of kisses for you all, and to remain yours your own faithful and devoted
Will
William Henry Harrison died in the sinking; his body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#110).
NO.110 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 40 - HAIR AND MOUSTACHE, FAIR
CLOTHING — Green overcoat; dark suit; white shirt, blue stripe; purple socks.
EFFECTS — fountain pen; cigarette holder; three memo books; pair cuff links; gold stud; bill book; pipe; keys; silver knife; £10 in gold; £1.18s.8d in bag; and £10 in notes.
FIRST CLASS - NAME - W.H.HARRISON
Among the effects was a memo book detailing the dates and costs of transatlantic crossing through 1912, including those planned for the Titanic.
His remains were buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 1 May 1912.
The inscription on the large granite column headstone reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON
BELOVED HUSBAND OF
ANN ELIZABETH HARRISON
WHO LOST HIS LIFE
IN THE TITANIC
DISASTER
APRIL 15TH 1912
IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH
HARRISON
Harrison’s estate was valued at £840, 11s, 6d and entered probate.
His widow Ann never remarried and later settled in London. She died in Pinner on 2 February 1948.
His daughter married Insurance Broker Harold Townend in 1914 and had a son named Harold Geoffrey Townend the following year.
His son Thomas later worked for the White Star Line himself and was listed in the 1921 census as being employed in their publicity department in the headquarters at 30 James Street, Liverpool. In 1925, he was described as a 'Conductor' working for the White Star Dominion Line.
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