BEREAVEMENTS IN THE CITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

"To Chronicle, Winchester.

"Titanic struck iceberg Cape Race. Wireless states vessel sinking. Passengers embarking lifeboats."

Crowds soon gathered round to acquaint themselves of the mournful intelligence, which spread through the city, and many telephonic inquiries ensued, and were replied to without delay. Subsequent telegrams during the week have been eagerly awaited by many anxious to be acquainted with details of the awful wreck.

At the meeting of the Winchester City Council on Thursday, Alderman Stopher (senior Alderman), who was presiding in the absence through indisposition of the Mayor, said that in a letter to him, the Mayor suggested the Council should take steps to express to the Corporation of Southampton their very sincere sympathy in the terrible misfortune which had fallen upon them by the death of so many of their inhabitants in the terrible wreck of the great steamship, Titanic. It was a shipwreck almost unparalleled in the history of the world, and certainly so far as anything they in Winchester had known. In time past there had been some very serious shipwrecks from Southampton - some might remember the loss of the Rhone and of other vessels - but nothing approaching this disaster, and in that disaster their neighbours at Southampton were suffering very severely indeed. It therefore would only become them, on behalf of the Corporation and citizens of Winchester, to express to Southampton their most sincere sympathy and condolence in the terrible misfortune that had fallen upon them.

Councillor Percy Shenton (senior councillor) seconded, briefly adding that Southampton deserved the sympathy of the whole world in the terrible trial they had been called on to undergo.

The Council at once rose in their places and assented to the proposition in silence.

The Mayor has also sent a personal letter of sympathy to the Mayor of Southampton.

No town approaches Southampton in the extent of the awful bereavement that has come upon it through the catastrophe, but there are homes in Winchester and its neighbourhood to which sorrow has come, and others where there has been - and still is - terrible anxiety and suspense.

One of the most pathetic cases is in the home of Mr. T. Harris, 13, Greenhill-avenue, Fulfood. His fourth son, Edward, a smart young fellow of 18 years of age, was in the steward's department. A few years back young Harris was in the employ of Messrs. Spiers and Pond at Winchester Railway Station. Then he got on board the Olympic, and saild with her on her maiden voyage, and so apt did he prove himself in his duties that before he left the ship he was made fourth hand in the pantry, over the heads of men of longer service. Joining the Titanic, he was appointed to the plate pantry. He left his home at Winchester, his native city, to go on board on Tuesday evening of last week. Closely associated with Mr. T. Harris's household is Michael Rogers, aged 27, who was steward to the Marconi department of the Titanic. Rogers was born in Dublin, but both his parents are long since dead. Rogers' mother and Mr Harris's wife were close friends, and after the death of the parents of Rogers, great kindness was shown both to him and his sister (who has since gone to a convent school) by Mr. and Mrs. Harris. He has been for some while in the service of the White Star Company, having crossed the Atlantic several times in the Adriatic, and more recently in the Olympic, from which he transferred to the Titanic. Whenever ashore, Rogers was wont to make the home of the Harris's his home; he had become engaged to a daughter of Mr. Harris, and before starting his voyage on the Titanic he wished her to become his wife, but Miss Harris preferred waiting a little. Mr. Harris has been visited with some sad bereavements within the past few months, for last November his wife died, and the the death of his mother followed in January. He was in former years an officer's civilian servant, being employed by Major Crake, who was stationed at the Rifle Dept at the time of the burning of Winchester Barracks. Lately he has frequently been employed as a supernumerary warder at H. M. Prison. He has a sailor son now on the Royal Yacht, and a soldier son in the Royal Horse Artillery.

Another case is that of Edwin Rowland Stanley, aged about 22, who was a passenger on the Titanic going out to join a borther who is in the United States. Stanley was employed in the billiard room at the Winchester City Club for about twelve months, but he left some two years ago and went to Swanage. He was a native of Wales and had worked in the mines before coming to Winchester. He came on a visit to Mr. Brown, the steward of the City Club, just before sailing in the Titanic.

Mr. Ned Stone, of Sussex-street, is a bedroom steward on the Titanic, and his young wife is anxiosuly hoping he is among the crew who were saved.

W. Lucas, a Winchester man residing at Southampton, appeared amongst the names of the crew, and has since been reported as amongst those saved.

The children of the elementary schools of the city have been subscribing to the relief fund this week, and a substantial sum in coppers has been raised.

The great national outpouring of practical sympathy, which is never failing in this country upon emergencies of this sort, will perhaps appeal to soldiers and sailors as much as to any section of the community. One has only to recall the South African War to remember how great were the sacrifices made by the nation for the widows and orphas of the slain. Here, then, is an opportunity for service men to make a practical acknowledgment of what was then done for the bereaved ones of the brave dead. We understand that at the Rifle Depot the whole of the non-commissioned officers and men are subscribing a sum equivalent to about one day's pay to the Mayor of Southampton's Fund for the stricken dependents of the Titanic's crew. This sum added to the subscriptions of the officers, and the offertory at the parade service to-morrow, will total a considerable amount.

There has been more than one rumour, which has happily proved false. For instance, in one of the illustrated papers yesterday, there appeared a photo of a brother of Mr. Stanbrook, of 61, Tower-street, Winchester, as among the missing. Mr. Stanbrook telegraphed to Southampton only to find his brother had never left that town. We have heard of two narrow escapes of people living in Winchester from not having gone out on the Titanic, and a couple of young men from Colden Common, named Boyes and Mariner, were actually reported to have gone, but, fortunately, it has proved they did not do did not do so.

At least two other victims had friends in Winchester. Reginald Butler, a second-class passenger, about 23 years of age, was first cousin to Mrs. W. J. Gale of St Faith's-road. He has a brother who keeps the Granada Hotel, Southsea, but his father and mother are both dead. He had been home to England for a few months, but was returning to his employment on a fruit farm in one of the States.

Mr. E. Best, a first-class steward, was brother-in-law of Mrs. E. A. White, of 11, Greenhill-ropad. His wife and family reside in Southampton.

From the village of King's Worthy there have gone two young fellows, named Moore and Barker. The former was what is termed a trimmer, about 21 years of age, and he had worked on the South African boats before he transferred himself to the Titanic. His father has been for many years in the employ of Messrs. Frampton, of Jewry-street. Barker is about 19 years of age, and was a baker on the Titanic; he was previously engaged on the Olympic. At one time he was employed at Mr. E. H. Holdaway's at King's Worthy. Mr. Holdaway is a baker and grocer, and also keeps the Post-office, and young Barker was well-known in the village as riding round on his cycle with telegraphs, &c., from the Post-office. His father is employed at Mrs. Snow's mill at Abbot's Worthy.

Mrs. F. R Hunt, of the Manor Farm, Headbourne Worthy, had a sister (Miss Lavington) on board, but she was saved.

Among the second-class passengers on board was Mr. H. P. Hodges, head of the well-known Southampton music firm, and formerly a Town Councillors, who had embarked, it is understood, with the object of visiting a relative at Boston, and had intended to return in a few weeks' time. There is much reason to fear, however, that he was lost in the ship. Mr. Hector Young, Hon. Sec, of the Newtown Ward Conservative Association, has since Mr. Hodges' departure received a letter from him returning thanks for an expression of goodwill sent him on the eve of his departure. Mr. Hodges wrote that he "had been having a good time," that the movement of the ship was unnoticed, and that the weather was good. Mr. Hodges was the brother of Mrs. W. H. Hicks of "Meredith", Hatherley-road, Winchester, and paid a visit to his siter as late as Good Friday coming up from Southampton by motor-car.

Among the passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Collyer and their little girl, who were going out to join friends. in America. Mr. Collyer has taken a deep interest in Church work at Bishopstoke since he came to the parish with the Rector some years ago, and only at the vestry meeting last week Mr. Henry White (who presided in the absence of the Rector) wished him God-speed, and referred to the loss the parish would sustain by his removal. It is believed that Mrs. Collyer and her little girl are among the saved, but the worst is feared with regard to her husband. Mr. Collyer, who acted as clerk and sexton at the Bishopstoke Parish Church, and his wife were ever ready to help in the performance of the Rector's operettas, the latest of which, "The Three Admirals," was to have been repeated at St. Denys and at Bishopstoke, the latter to have been to-night and on Monday night, but in view of the present melancholy occurrence, the members felt they could hardly carry out their performance at Bishopstoke, though it would take place at St. Denys as announced. The object, however, will be changed, it having been decided that the proceeds shall be given towards the Mayor of Southampton's Relief Fund for the sufferers. By kind permission of Mr. R. Pollock and the directors of the Eastleigh Variety Theatre, a special matinee performance of the operetta will be given at the Theatre on Saturday afternoon, April 27th, when the proceeds will also be devoted to the Mayor of Southampton's Relief Fund.

A brother of Mr. L. W. Hunt, Fareham Rural District Council's Sanitary Inspector, was one of the passengers who went down with the Titanic. He was returning to the States after a holiday spent on this side of the Atlantic.

Among other local residents on the vessel at the time of the catastrophe were Mr. C. Crispin, Sainfoin Villa, Station-hill, Eastleigh; Mr. J. Longmuir, and Mr. N. Bogie, of 130, The Crescent, Eastleigh; Mr. L. Knight, of 37, Spring-lane, Bishopstoke; and Mr. R. E. Burke, of 26, Southampton-road, Chandler's Ford.

Mr. R. Perkins, son of Mr. B. Perkins, of the New Inn, Soberton, was on board at the time of the disaster, in the position of second wireless telegraphist. There seems to be little hope left that he is saved.

The Wreck of the Titanic: April 20th, 1912

We direct attention to a letter from Canon Braithwaite (Vice-Dean) in another column stating that the offertories at the Cathedral tomorrow (Sunday), which were to have been set apart for the Church missionary Society, will now be given to the Mayor of Southampton for immediate help to those who have been rendered widows and orphans by the sinking of the liner Titanic.

At the various City Churches it is understood a collection for the same good object will be taken tomorrow (Sunday) week.

For both the morning and afternoon service at the Cathedral tomorrow the bells will be rung half-muffled, and the flag will be at half-mast.

The Misses Perks' "Soldiers' Home" will hold a special service in the Broadway, Winchester from two to quarter to three tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The band will play the "Dead March" and the hymn "Nearer my God to Thee." A collection will be taken towards the Mayor of Winchester's auxiliary fund in aid of thsoe bereaved by the disaster.

The Winchester Salvation Army Corps desire to lend a helping hand in alleviating the suffering of the many bereaved through the loss of the Titanic, and purpose taking up retiring collection at each service on Sunday (tomorrow) for the Relief Fund. An open air meeting in the Broadway will be held on Sunday night at 8.30, when a collection will be taken for the same purpose. Also the band intend playing in certain districts on Thursday evening next, all proceeds to be handed over to the Fund. Any donations for this wiill be gratefully received, or may be sent to Captain V. Joseph, S. A. Officers Quarters, 37, Hyde Abbey-road, Winchester. A memorial service will be held in the Salvation Army Citadel, Parchment-street, on Sunday, 21st, at 6.30 p.m., conducted by Adjutant Brodale.