Percy Rice

Percy Rice was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England in the third quarter of 1893. He was the son of Robert Rice (1859-) and Rose Hannah (Rosanna) Batten Handcock (1859-), both Hampshire natives who had married in 1881.  

Percy was one of eight children born to his parents, two of whom died in infancy ¹. His known siblings were: Bertie Robert (b. 1882), Rose (b. 1883), Frederick (b. 1885), Naomi Kate (b. 1887), Ada Louise (b. 1888) and James Cyril (b. 1895).

Percy first appears on the 1901 census. At that time he and his family were residing at 39 Thackeray Road, Portswood, Southampton and his father was described as a printer journeyman. Moving to 40 Thackeray Road by the time of the 1911 census, Percy was now working as a butcher. When he went to sea is not certain.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, Percy gave his address as 40 Thackeray Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Olympic. As a third class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Percy Rice died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Independent (unknown date):

RICE-- April 15th, 1912, at sea, on s.s. Titanic, Percy Rice, aged 19, the beloved son of Robert and Rose Rice, 40, Thackeray Road, Southampton.

His father died in 1917 aged 57 and his mother in 1933 aged 73.

Percy is remembered on the family headstone in Old Common cemetery Southampton section D 182, plot 207