SEARCHING FOR HAVERING CONNECTIONS TO THE TITANTIC
The Museum is appealing for anyone in Havering with a connection to the Titanic, the world’s most famous ship, to share their stories prior to an exciting exhibition being launched in early April 2018.
The Museum is very proud to welcome the Titanic – Honour and Glory exhibition to the High Street, Romford, from Scotland next year for five months.
The exhibition will not only have many artifacts from the ill-fated liner, like a steward’s tunic and the watch that stopped when it was immersed in the icy cold water of the North Atlantic on 14th April, 1912, but also props from the James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Billy Zane and Kate Winslet.
Recently a regular Reminiscence Event was held to gather memories and identify anyone living in the area who may be Titanic descendants. One resident who attended was Irene Briscoe, whose grandmother Kate Buss was on board the ship.
“I remember stories when I was very young told by my granny, but it wasn’t until I was doing my family history a few years ago that I discovered what she told me about the Titanic was true,” said Irene.
David Lawrence, who has his own Titanic collection, also attended the Event and after listening to Irene’s story of her grandmother revealed he had met a women called Marian Wright years ago and had a postcard from her among his artefacts.
To the surprise of both, it turned out that Marian shared the same cabin on the ship as Irene’s nan!
Others who have been in contact with the Museum include Mrs Thelma Sparkes, cousin to famous survivor Eva Hart, who became a wel-known after-dinner speaker and councillor in Chadwell Heath and has a pub named after her.
Romford resident, Paul Garland’s great grandfather, Frank Painter, was a fireman/stoker on the ship and sadly perished after bravely staying at his post to stoke the boilers to ensure the generators provided lighting until the last moment. Frank’s cousin, Charles Painter, was also a fireman/stoker on board and was also lost at sea.
The exhibition, to be launched on 7th April, 2018 will run until 1st September and is possible thanks to sponsors Mullis & Peake, solicitors, accountants Kingston Smith and Clemence Hoar Cummings and the Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
If anyone has a connection to the Titanic, or related artefacts, contact Ellen Owen at marketing@haveringmuseum.org.uk or call: 01708 766 571.