Boysie Richard Russell was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England on 11 November 1894.
He was the son of Richard Russell (b. 1872 in Gloucestershire) and Emily Jane Hicks (b. 1868 in Wiltshire) who were married in Hampshire in 1892. His father Richard was a licensed victualler and ran the Anchor Public House and Hotel in Redbridge, Southampton.
Boysie was one of seven children, his siblings being: Alice Florence Louise (1893-1977), Archibald Robert (1897-1976), Harry George (b. 1899), Edwin Frank (1900-1980), Leslie Walter (1903-1979) and Doris Irene (b. 1905).
Boysie first appears on the 1901 census living with his family at the Anchor Public House in Southampton and would still be at this address by the time of the 1911 census. By the latter record, he had left school and was described as an assistant in his father's business.
When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4th April, 1912, Boysie gave as his local address the Anchor Hotel, Redbridge. Boysie Russell was not the only member of his family to work on White Star Line ships, and his brother was an Escoffier-trained chef. He had transferred to the Titanic from the Olympic. As a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.
Boysie died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.
The following death notice appeared in the Southern Daily Echo (29 April 1912):
RUSSELL--Boysie Richard. Dearly beloved eldest son of Richard and Emily Russell, of the Anchor Hotel, Redbridge. In his 17th year.
He is remembered on the Titanic memorial in St Mary's Church, Eling, Totton, near Southampton.
To the memory of
Frederick Walter Goodwin, aged 34 years
William Thomas Fox, aged 27 years
Tom Warwick, aged 25 years
All of this parish.
Boysie Richard Russell of Redbridge, aged 17½ years
William Edward Hine of Lyndhurst, aged 36 years
Who were lost on the SS Titanic after collision with an Ice
Berg in the North Atlantic at midnight April 14th, 1912 When
More than 1500 passengers and crew were drowned.
"When Thou Passest Through the Waters, I Will Be with Thee"
He is also named on the Milbrook Church Memorial, Southampton.
Comment and discuss
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I am a distance relation to Boysie (on fathers side) I have a picture taken when we believe he was sixteen + his birth certificate. Your details showing him as 19 is incorrect he was actually 17 and five months when he joined the crew of the Titanic. I will be sending a copy of the certificate and his photograph to add. Boysies brother in law, Wally Spender turned down a position on theTitanic and sailed on the sister ship 'Olympic'saying to Boysie he would meet him in New York getting work on another ship returning home. There are two memorials to Boysie one is a brass plaque inside the chrnc at Eling, Totten Southampton and another at the C of E Church Millbrook Road Redbridge end (by the fly over)
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Dear Mrs Chandler - below is my printout on Mr. Russell - you will see the difference in his age fromt the newspaper report (16) to the Memorial (17 1/2). I look forward to seeing a certificate so that we can put the record straight. Best regards - Brian Russell, Boysie Richard. Lived at the Anchor Hotel, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton. Occuaption - Saloon Steward. 16 years old. (Death Notice Southern Daily Echo 29th April 1912 and Hampshire Independent 4th May 1912). Russell, Boysie Richard. Dearly beloved Eldest Son of Richard and Emily Russell, of the Anchor Hotel, Redbridge, In His 16th Year. Named on Millbrook Church Memorial. Named on St Mary's Church, Eling, nr. Southampton Memorial. The memorial is situated just inside the church on the right. ''To The Memory of'' Frederick Walter Godwin, 34 years old. William Thomas Fox aged 27 years. Tom Warwick, aged 25 years. All of this Parish. Boysie Richard Russell of Redbridge aged 17½ years. William Edward Hine...
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I have just added some information regarding Boysie Richard Russell, please take a look and if anyone has any more info I would be very grateful. Peter
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He was a second class saloon steward and was not assigned to any particular individual passenger
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