Alfred John Olliver (June 2nd 1884 - June 18th 1934) was one of the seven quartermasters of the RMS Titanic. His brother-in-law Walter John Perkis also worked on the ship with him and worked with him previously on the RMS Olympic.
Early life[]
Alfred John Olliver was born in St Ouen, Jersey, Channel Islands on June 2nd 1884, His father was Pierre Olliver, a farmer of French descent and his mother was Eliza Le Cornu, a Jersey native. He was one of eleven children. His family would relocate to St Nicholas while Alfred worked at sea at the young age of 16, During 1901, Alfred enlisted in the Royal Navy.
Alfred married Amelia Gertrude Perkins during late 1910 in Southampton. The couple got three children. In 1911, Alfred enlisted on the Olympic and work with his brother-in-law, Walter John Perkis.
RMS Titanic[]
Alfred enlisted on the Titanic as Quartermaster on April 6th 1912 and gave his address which was on 38 Andersons Road (Southampton), He boarded the ship in Belfast.
Collision with Ice[]
Alfred Olliver as seen in Titanic (1997 film) at the wheel.
On the night of April 14th, Alfred had been at the bridge since 10 P.M., and would be relieved by Quartermaster Robert Hichens. During his shift Alfred delivered messages between officers and the wheelhouse. He is thought to be on bridge when the collision with the iceberg happened, He would describe the iceberg being as tall as the Boat Deck or a little taller. Alfred was ordered to go find the Carpenter to take a draft of the water, He found Carpenter John Maxwell on D-Deck. Alfred then delivered a message to Chief Engineer Joseph Bell, Bell told Alfred to deliver a message to Captain Edward John Smith that he would 'get it done as soon as possible'. After Alfred served the duties, He was ordered into lifeboat 5 by Third Officer Herbert John Pitman, Pitman wanted to go back but passengers thought it was not safe, Alfred backed this story up in the US Inquiry. Lifeboat 5 was picked up by the RMS Carpathia and Alfred along with other survivors disembarked at New York.
Inquiry and Later life[]
Alfred attented the US Inquiry to give his testimony,in which he stated that the passenger in his boat didn't want to go back to help those in the water. This would back up Third Officer Pitman's story and Alfred indirectly mentioned the Break-up of the Titanic, But only hearing it. Alfred continued working for White Star Line but never returned to sea, Alfred returned to Jersey and passed there on June 18th 1934. His grave would remain unmarked untill the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking, when he finally got his headstone, His widowed wife Amelia died on January 26th 1975.
Portrayals[]
A Night to Remember (1958 film)[]
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Dan Cressy as Alfred Olliver in A Night to Remember (1958 film)
In A Night to Remember (1958 film), Alfred is played by Dan Cressy
Titanic (1997 film)[]
Alfred Olliver as seen in Titanic (1997 film)
In Titanic (1997 film), Alfred is played by Alex Humphrey although he's character was uncredited.
Admiral[]
Alfred Olliver as seen in Admiral
In Admiral (Comic), Alfred is seen telling Thomas Andrews to meet the Captain.