Andrews Marina - Titanic Survivor

Charles Edward Andrews

Titanic Survivor

By

Marina Andrews

First Edition, August 2012

Title; Charles Edward Andrews ~ Titanic Survivor

Subtitle; The Sea In My Blood

Author; Marina Andrews

Copyright 2012 All rights reserved

Table of Contents

This Book Is Dedicated To;

My Grandfather

Charles Edward Andrews

And In Memory Of His Cousin;

George Edward Thomas Roberton

Marina Andrews is the granddaughter of Titanic survivor Charles Edward Andrews. Unfortunately, she never had the chance to know her grandfather, as sadly, he passed away two years before she was born. After studying old photographs and family recordings about Charlie and his colourful life at sea, Marina developed a mental vision of Charlie; bringing her closer to the man she might once have known, had he not passed away so soon. Marina feels proud of the way her grandfather coped through his long tough maritime career, sticking with it through thick and thin, regardless of how difficult. It was a kind of life definitely worth remembering, especially as it involved the great White Star liner RMS Titanic. But then realising over time, those memories of Charlies distinct string of life-events would have gradually become completely forgotten. This in turn - as well as Titanics one hundredth anniversary year sparked a book idea! From that moment on and touched with much inspiration, Marina became mentally motivated. This creation of Marinas book idea would be a perfect preservation to prevent her grandfathers unique life fading away and ending up in a pile of forgotten memories. And now, after several years of planning and writing, Marina has proudly compiled together her precious family memoirs and images and produced a unique family memento. A presentation which will go on to preserve Charlies amazing life, not only for her immediate family, but for many future generations! Surprisingly, as the word began to spread about her book, so did curiosity from the public. Many individuals were requesting copies before she had written a word! Marina knew there would be no going back once she had started. And being aware of the pressures of public interest, she decided to make her book available to everyone. This is Marinas very first attempt at writing a book, and as much as she wanted to write it, her mind would also fill with all the usual feelings of concern, dreading how it would turn out or whether it would be good enough. Apart from wanting to write the book, Marina definitely wanted to illustrate some of it too. As a budding artist Marina has used her own illustrations from her own ideas, including the front cover, which gives that extra personal touch. Marina would not have been able to produce this book if her mother, Mary and certain helpful family members had not kept back the information and photos of her grandfather. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this book, as much as Marina enjoyed writing it.

By Aston Cerexhe

First, let me introduce you to my grandfather, Charles Edward Andrews, known then, as Charlie. More than a century ago, blue-eyed fair haired, Charlie, was just a normal lad from a very basic family lifestyle, who grew up with profound ambitions and dreams of becoming an able seaman. Strong willed Charlie went on to begin living his wildest dreams and ambitions of a very long maritime career, but nothing could have prepared him for the most harrowing experiences, and life threatening events that had transpired throughout Charlies seafaring years. Although Charlies life involved many tough and sad times, his life was also filled with lots of happy memories including fun, love and an amazing twenty year old promise with a very touching outcome! Although I never knew my grandfather Charlie, I feel as if I have come to know him through the creation of this book. Obviously, had Charlie not survived the Titanic disaster, I would not have been here to write this book. And because he did, I feel privileged to have had the chance to preserve the life of this highly respected man who had such an exceptionable life.

Dating back to the 13th century, the patriotic name Andrews originated from Scotland and arose from the baptismal name Andrew which, in Greek, means manly. The Andrews ancestry recorded in our family tree, dates back to (my grandfather) Charlies great-great-great-grandfather, John Andrews born in a small village called Huish, amid the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire in around 1722. In 1746 John went on to marry his sweetheart Dinah Locke, they had a daughter and four sons, one of whom was Charlies great-great-grandfather Henry, also born in Huish, Wiltshire in 1770. In April, 1790 Henry married Charlotte Tarrant; they had two daughters and three sons, one of whom was Charlies great-grandfather Jeremiah, born in another small country village called Wilcot in Wiltshire, around 1803. Jeremiah moved to live in Portsea, Hampshire, to begin a new lease of life and in September 1826, he married Elizabeth Smithers. Jeremiah began his trade as a joiner and for several years he engaged as a member of the St Pauls Church choir in Southsea and became very well-known to the parish congregation for his fine bass voice and instrumental talent. When Jeremiahs wife Elizabeth reached her late thirties, she sadly passed away and two years later, lost their third child Thomas at the age of only thirteen. Sadness struck the family again for a third time, as just another year later, Jeremiah contracted Tuberculosis, after which shortly took his life; leaving their youngest three children orphaned. No one could possibly imagine the terrible grief those poor children must have suffered, having lost their brother and both parents over a short time.

On the 18 th April in 1842, St Pauls orchestra arranged a special performance at the Beneficial Societys hall in Portsea. More than seventy members of the orchestra presented a grand concert of sacred music in memory of their much respected member of the choir; talented vocalist, Jeremiah Andrews; Applying all funds received from the concert to the deceaseds destitute orphans. The three children, Sarah aged just nine, Elizabeth, thirteen and George, eleven were all separated, each settling into a new life, living with other family members.

One of the three orphaned children, Jeremiahs eleven year old son, was Charlies Grandfather George, born in Portsea, Hampshire in 1831. George worked hard at sea on the steamships becoming an able seaman working as a butcher. In 1854 George married Laura Glasse; they had seven children, of whom they tragically lost two; Arthur aged three and Herbert who was just two, in time burying both the children together in the old cemetery in Hill lane, Southampton.

One of Georges other five children was Charlies father, Henry Jeremiah, born in Southampton in 1857. In April 1869, when Henry was only twelve years old, his father George, accidentally drowned in an incident that occurred in Singapore, where his body remains buried. George was only thirty eight. Three years later, Henrys mother Laura re-married in 1872 to Edward Harvey. In 1881 Laura took over as licensee of the Beehive Hotel in Southampton with her husband Edward who later passed away in the September that same year. It seemed most of the family lived and worked there during the earlier part of their lives, including Henry Jeremiah. A year following her husband Edwards death, Laura married John Hall in Steyning, West Sussex, in 1882. Four years later Laura passed away and was buried - Laura Anne Hall - with her two young sons Arthur and Herbert Andrews. In 1887, the license was taken over by George and Lauras daughter, Laura Elizabeth Andrews with her husband, Robert Okleford until her death in 1893.