There is a plaque on a large anchor outside a derelict church in Southampton’s High Street (QE2 Mile) which reads: The Church of Holyrood erected on this site in 1320 was damaged by enemy action on 30 Nov 1940. Known for centuries as the church of the sailors, the ruins have been preserved by the people of Southampton as a memorial and garden of rest, dedicated to those who served in the Merchant Navy and lost their lives at sea.
There are many memorials in this peaceful place to those lost at sea. From mediaeval captains that went down with their ship to those bombed while bringing supplies during WWII.
There is a special corner dedicated to the crew who drowned when the Titanic sank. Of her 1,517 victims, Southampton was home to 538 of the 685 crew members who died on this White Star liner’s fateful crossing to New York on the 15th of April 1912. It was like our 9/11 – our city lost a generation.
I have been meaning to write about the Holyrood neighbourhood of Southampton for some time. In the 1960s a new area of council flats were developed on that which was raized to the ground by the Blitz. In the last decade Southampton council has employed mural artists and sculptors to reveal the history of the area. However, Marie Keats, another Southampton blogger I follow, has been able to do this so much better than I on her ‘I Walk Alone” wordpress site – so if you are interested in her lovely mural walk around the area please do visit her blog: http://www.iwalkalone.co.uk/?p=22590
SNIPS & SNAPS 
The derelict building is beautiful. What a sterling history it has. I do hope a restoration project will include this important monument. xo
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It would be far too costly for it to be restored. There are many such church buildings in England. it was cleaned recently and will be left as it is – as a memorial.
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Thank you for this! My maternal grandmother’s brother – Charles Herbert Lightoller – was the highest in command saved off the Titanic. Uncle Herbert!
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Oh – that is interesting – I have a crew and passenger list somewhere – I will check him out. You would love the SeaCity museum if you ever visited Southampton. It has a lot about people and their involvement with The Titanic.
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I just realised where I heard the name. He was a real hero. I loved his character played by Kenneth More in the film. You must be very proud of your ancestors. For anyone else interested here is the YouTube clip: https://youtu.be/GpKKwjqB5-U
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Thanks for that link! I have a letter from him (written to my grandfather) saying: “Imagine Doreen expecting her 5th. It must be something to do with the weather in New Zealand.” The 5th was me!! My grandparents used to send him trunks of provisions from New Zealand during the period in England of rationing…
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Have you done any posts about him? If not it would be so good if you could.
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Too many people were riding on the back of the “Titanic” flurry – and I noticed that most direct descendants of Charles Herbert Lightoller preferred to stay in the shadows. I wouldn’t like to be that little upstart that jumped up and down excitedly because he was my maternal-grandmother’s-half-brother…. !
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Ahh! But time has passed now. History should be told. I wouldn’t have a clue if any of my relatives were on board, probably not. I did meet some of the passenger survivors when I was a schoolgirl.
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See! You should write of those you met perhaps! My mother saw the last Titanic movie and simply said, “All that money and he’s not the slightest bit like Uncle Herbert”!
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Ha! That’s Hollywood for you.
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Thank you for the mention 🙂 I used to love spending quiet time in Holyrood Church when I worked in town.
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I was hoping that it would link to your blog – I’m not the best technical person.
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Sad but lovely story, and place. Southampton has such rich memories. This photo too, is a beauty with its grand grey Church, and contrsting colourful people.
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Thank you Vronlacroix.
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PS love your contact to Mr Goodman! Amazing! Best wishes to him.
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I have followed him for quite a while now and had no idea about his hero ancestor.
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A beautiful photo, and I didn’t know about the Titanic crew
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It is worth visiting the SeaCity museum the next time you pass by. It has a lot about the people on the Titanic
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A great photograph. Lieutenant Lightoller features in all the histories of the Titanic. He even appeared as a character in the Leonardo de Caprio film. Bruce, you must be very proud of your ancestor.
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Indeed. I have mentioned The Titanic in other posts. Looks like I need to do a Titanic Walk and post more.
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A fascinating post. And some great comments from your readers.
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Thanks toutparmoi
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Your photos are wonderful, and I completely agree with you that “history should be told.” There are too many forces in the world today who are determined to follow in the footsteps of those who would erase the uncomfortable, the ugly, and the distressing. I ran out of Christmas season to post about one of a carol that suffered the fate. Next year!
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Lovely photos, as always. I hate the idea QE2 mile, but that’s just me.
I read recently that in the road that runs parallel to mine one in ten houses lost someone in the Titanic. I know that numbers were higher in streets nearer the docks, but I presume there were similar losses in the surrounding streets. It must have had a huge impact on the area.
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Have you seen the floor map at the Sea City Museum? (a section of it here: http://wp.me/p6jveM-t ) They have a red dot for where someone lived that died from the Titanic disaster. They are evenly distributed really. A few more in Northam, Chapel and Holyrood as that is where more merchant seamen lived. They have a list with photos of many of the victims and survivors too.
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I haven’t been to the museum yet, which is naughty of me. The map would be a good reason to go.
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It really is fabulous but I must admit the prices are enough to put most off. I cannot wait until a private enterprise takes it over from the Council. Once you’ve been there is no reason to go again – I think we should be able to do like Portsmouth, Bristol and Brighton that if you are local and a council tax payer – you can go back in and out again all year. I would take guests with me if that was the case. The museum is empty most of the time, yet if they tried to attract cruise ship passengers they would love it.
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