Mr Frederick Charles Simmons was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England on 16 May 1887.
He was the son of Thomas Procter Simmons (1849-1934), a plumber's labourer, and Hannah (Annie) Minns (1856-1928) and both had married in mid-1873 in their native Southampton.
Frederick was one of sixteen children and his siblings were: George Thomas (b. 1873), Lily Eliza (b. 1975), William Arthur (b. 1876), Annie Elizabeth (b. 1877), Lucy Florence (b. 1879). Albert Henry (b. 1881), William John (b. 1882), Maud Louise (b. 1884), William James (b. 1886), Bertie James (b. 1888), Emmeline (b. 1890), Ernest Alfred (b. 1891), Archibald Procter (b. 1893), Hannah Kathleen (b. 1898) and Margaret Alice (b. 1900). At least four would die in infancy.
At the time of the 1891 census the family were living at 36 Albert Street, Southampton and by then Frederick's father was described as a provisions dealer. The 1901 census would have the family at the same address, with Thomas Simmons then described as a shopkeeper (grocer). Frederick went to sea around the same time and worked on various ships, including Majestic and Oceanic.
Frederick was married in Southampton in mid-1910 to Winifred Lucraft (b. 16 August 1887) of Ilfracombe, Devon, daughter of John Lucraft and Martha Harris.
The couple welcomed their first child, Robert Ralph towards the end of 1910. At the time of the 1911 census Frederick was absent but his wife and son were living with her mother and a brother at 23 York Road in Southampton. Tragedy struck when their son Robert died on 5 June 1911 before reaching his first birthday. Winifred was pregnant at the time and five months later the couple were gifted with another son, Edward Reginald (b. 3 November 1911).
When Frederick signed-on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 he gave his address as 263 Millbrook Road, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Oceanic and as a saloon steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s. Whilst aboard he sent a letter to his wife from Queenstown.
Just a line in great haste to let you know I am feeling fine and rather pleased with the ship. Of course I don't know if I shall have a show or not but I hope so. How are you keeping on, I hope you and baby are keeping very well. I expect I shall be comfortable here. When you write please address F. C. Simmons as there are two more of that name in the ship. Well darling I have no more to say now as I am in a hurry, love to all at home and heaps of it and kisses for you and Teddy.
From your ever-loving husband Fred
Frederick Simmons died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
Frederick's widow and infant son were assisted financially by the Titanic Relief Fund. Winifred later remarried in Southampton in 1917 to Robert Victor Baker (b. 1887), a dock labourer, with whom she would have four more children, the family living for many years in Southampton. Widowed a second time in 1963, Winifred passed away in Weymouth, Dorset in 1967.
Frederick and Winifred's son Edward was married in 1935 to Lily Rosina Poole (1910-1990) and they had a daughter, Mary (b. 1939). The small family remained in Southampton where Edward died on 6 October 1993 aged 81.
Comment and discuss
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There is not much said about this Saloon Stewart other than he went down with he ship and his body has never been recovered. I am somewhat curious about this man and know he left behind a wife and a son. If anyone can give me more info or a possible web site that gives pictures I would greatly appreciate that. This is a man that has worked on a number of White Star Line Ships that sailed yet I wonder why more has not been said about his life, his family, where he lived and more pictures available of him.
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I just came across this site and wonder if this is Frederick G. Simmons son. It just so happens that this person was born in Southampton.
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Dear Lucky, Of course Mr. Simmonds perished in the disaster - here is my database printout on him - I hope it helps? Simmonds, Frederick. C. Lived at Staple Terrace, 203 Millbrook Road, Millbrook, Southampton. Occupation - Saloon Steward. 27 years old. (Born in Southampton. Ship before the Titanic the Oceanic. Named on the Millbrook Church Memorial, Southampton. (From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913) Number 603. Simmonds, Winifred, widow. Child: Nina 5-months-old. Both class D dependents. Letter from him to his wife as printed in From Titanic Voices) On board the RMS Titanic Just a line in great haste to let you know I am feeling fine and rather pleased with the ship. Of course I don't know if I shall have a show or not - I hope so. How are you on I hope you and baby are keeping very well. I expect I shall be comfortable here. When you write please address your letter to F. C. Simmons as there are two or more of that name on the ship. Well...
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Dear Brian, The Name is Frederick G. Simmons and it has been a debate over the middle initial being a C. I believe it is G and possible the G is for George. I am looking for Pictures and possibly a family tree. I am under the assumption that his baby was a son and not a daughter. At the end of the letter that you added it says "...and heaps of kisses for you and Teddy" and yet above it list the child as 5 month old Nina. I would really want to know just who this Saloon Stewert was. I can't explain the curiosity I have of this individual but is there a site online about him? Are there more pictures than the one that is really hard to see? Is there a memorial in honor of him?
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Dear Lucky, I will try to answer your questions: You say - The Name is Frederick G. Simmons and it has been a debate over the middle initial being a C. I believe it is G and possible the G is for George. It is 'C' on the Signing on Sheet, 'C' Printed in the Relief Book and 'C' on his memorial in Millbrook Church have you any documentary proof that it is G? I am looking for Pictures and possibly a family tree. No more available as far as I know. I am under the assumption that his baby was a son and not a daughter. At the end of the letter that you added it says "...and heaps of kisses for you and Teddy" and yet above it list the child as 5 month old Nina. An anomaly yes but ''Teddy'' could be a nick name for 'Nina' perhaps he wanted a boy and got a girl? I can only go on the written report that is in the Relief Book. Are there more pictures than the one that is really hard to see? Not as far as I know. Is there a memorial in honor of him? Yes, as...
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Thank you Brian.
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