The Sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster
 

People on board

Edward Travis

TRAVIS, Edward

Edward Travis was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1880 to Samuel Travis and Mary Jane Lees. He was the eldest of their eight children, six of whom were alive in 1911. Just seven miles north-east of Manchester, Oldham was one of the most important centres of the cotton and textile industries in England and all the Travis family members were involved in the cotton industry. The family lived on Ashton Road in the town.

In October 1907 Edward Travis married Mary Buckley, also from Ashton Road, and both fathers as well as Edward himself, gave their occupation as ‘Spinners’. Edward and Mary had two daughters, Annie in 1908 and Alice in 1911. By 1911 they were also living on Ashton Road and Mary’s widowed mother and her sister were living with them. Edward Travis was no longer a Cotton Spinner, but now a Life Insurance Agent, most probably with the Prudential Assurance Company.

He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in Oldham and in October 1918 was a Pioneer in Bedford “A” Signal Depot, which was the Recruit Depot. The Pioneers were tasked with light engineering works to assist the infantry, and by 1918 were taking men without previous relevant skills. It is not known why he was in Ireland, but returning to England he travelled on RMS Leinster on the 10th. He did not survive the sinking nor was his body recovered. His name is recorded on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton and on the Roll of Honour of the Oldham Staff of the Prudential Assurance Company. Sixty-six men are named of whom five were killed.

 

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