Thomas Henry Edom Veal

Thomas Henry Edom Veal was born at Andover Road in Millbrook, Southampton on 11 April 1874, later being baptised on 10 May that year.

He was the son of Joseph Veal (b. 1835), a mariner, and the former Sarah Edom (b. 1833), natives of Millbrook who were married on 11 May 1862. 

The youngest of six children, Veal’s siblings were Franklin William (1862-1930), Joseph Mark Edom (b. 1866), Rubin Edom (1868-1869), William Edom (1869-1874) and Valkyrien Edom (b. 1871).

Thomas first appears on the 1881 census residing in Millbrook with his family; by 1891 he is absent from the family home, perhaps already at sea. 

He was married in late 1902 to his namesake Agnes Leonora Veal (b. 19 August 1880 in Southampton, daughter of Ernest Veal, a joiner, and Sarah Hibberd). The couple had one son, Leonard Thomas Joseph (b. 15 May 1903).

The family appear on the 1911 census living at 66 Hartington Road, Southampton and Thomas is described as a ship's steward in the merchant fleet.

When he signed-on to the Titanic on 4 April 1912, Veal gave his address as 20 Forster Road, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Olympic and as a saloon steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Thomas Veal died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His widow Agnes was remarried towards the end of 1913 to Lewis Arthur Wynhall Richards (1877-1942), another mariner, but would have no further children. Agnes died on 20 March 1942, less than three weeks after the death of her second husband Lewis who died on 4 March. 

His son Leonard was never married and also served in the merchant fleet. He remained in Southampton where he died in 1985.

Thomas Veal is remembered on a headstone in Millbrook churchyard, Southampton.