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November 20th, 1875 - April 15th, 1912

He is a Scorpio.

Edwy Arthur West was born in Perranzabuloe, Cornwall, England to Edwy Alfred West (1829 - 1915), a customs clerk, and Elizabeth Mary Wheeler (1845 - 1915), natives of Gloucestershire and Suffolk respectively. His father had spent many years living in Lewisham, Kent and this is where he was married to Edwy's mother in 1863. The couple went on to have 7 children, losing one in infancy. Edwy's siblings were: Frederick E. (born 1860), Mary Elizabeth (born 1864), William Edwy (born 1866), Frank Alfred (born 1867), Edgar Louis (born 1873), and Herbert Martin (born 1881).

The family seemingly moved around frequently and prior to his birth are known to have lived in Hampshire, Kent and Essex. Edwy first appears on the 1881 census when he and his family are residing at Point In Feock, Cornwall. When the family appear on the 1891 census they are residents of Kenwyn, Truro and Edwy, then at the age of 15, is still attending school. He had struck out by himself by the time of the 1901 census and he was recorded as boarding at Rings Road, Portsmouth and he was described as an unmarried house furnishers assistant. He was married on September 12th, 1905 to Ada Mary Worth (born 1879), a native of Truro. The couple moved to Bristol and their daughter Constance Miriam was born there in 1907. They later settled In Bournemouth where Edwy worked for the department store JJ Allen as a shopfloor walker. The family appear on the 1911 census residing at Livadia, Paisley Road, Stourwood, Bournemouth and Edwy was described as a carpet salesman. Their 2nd daughter Barbara Joyce was born later that year.

Aboard Titanic/April 14th-15th, 1912:
Deciding to strike out for a new life in America decisions were made by the family to travel to Gainesville, Florida and begin a fruit culture business. They boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10th, 1912 as 2nd class passengers. Whilst aboard it appears they became acquainted with Clear Cameron and Nellie Wallcroft. Ada later recalled the events of the night of the sinking:

'We were all asleep when the collision took place, but were only jolted in our berths - my husband and children not even being awakened, and it was only the hurrying of passengers outside the cabin that caused alarm. The steward bade us all get up and dress thoroughly with plenty of warm things. Arthur placed lifebelts upon the children and then carried them to the boat deck. I followed carrying my handbag. After seeing us safely into the lifeboat Arthur returned to the cabin for a thermos of hot milk, and, finding the lifeboat let down he reached it by means of a rope, gave the flask to me, and, with a farewell, returned to the deck of the ship.'

The paper Mining World said of Arthur West:

'It is impossible to write without emotion of the conduct of this heroic Cornishman who unquestionably might have saved his life had he chosen to take the place that, we suppose, was subsequently occupied by one of the women saved. Of such heroes the world is not worthy. Arthur West may be one of the least known of the Titanic heroes, but none will deny him the distinction of being one of the noblest'.

Arthur had served as a chorister for many of his young years in Truro Cathedral and to mark his passing a memorial to him was placed within the Cathedral by his wife and daughters who, after the tragedy, returned to live in Cornwall. Ada, who had been pregnant at the time of the disaster, gave birth to a daughter on September 14th, 1914 and she was named Edwyna Joan. Ada never remarried and died in 1953.

Both his parents remained living in Cornwall and died only months apart, both in 1915.         

His daughters' education up to the age of 12 was sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Drapers; Constance never married and died in 1963. Barbara was married twice and died in 2007 at the age of 96, she being the last-but-one living Titanic survivor.

His daughter Edwyna, a Titanic survivor in her own right, was married in 1941 to Clarence Patrick Erskine-Lindop (1920 - 2001); he later became Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government in the Bahamas and he was made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1977. The couple are also believed to have spent time living in Manhattan. Edwyna died in Plymouth in 1969.

Sources:
www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

Rest In Peace Arthur West.