Ellen ‘Nellie’ Wallcroft was a passenger on Titanic.
Background[]
Ellen Wallcroft was born in Maidenhead, Birkshire, England. on December 9, 1875. Her father was he worked in the brewery as an assitant. His wife and Ellen’s mother was Rebecca Broughton. Both parents stemmed from Birkshire. Six years after Ellen’s conception, they were situated in another place in Birkshire: Cookham.
Ellen was the second child and the only daughter of the couple. They adressed her often as ‘Nellie’. Fred came before her in 1874. In 1876, the first younger brother was born: Walter. Arthur was next in 1882. Sorrow came three days afther the birth of John in 1884, because their mother died. Father John found a new wife and said yes to Louisa Hicks from on 22 September 22, 1885.
Several more half-siblings would follow. All five of them were girls: Margaret Rebecca was the first to be sprung from this new marriage in 1886. Lucy Mary was was her younger sister, born in 188. After her came Clara Annie in 1890. Eva Jessie and Katheryn followed in 1892 and 1894.
Ellen must have had a talent and passion for cooking, as that is what she did when growing up and throughout her career. She served in various households between 1901 and 1911. She believed she could make more money in America and took a friend in the arm. She was Clear Annie Cameron, a maid from Derbyshire. She too saw the opportunities despite being very well-off in England herself. Nellie left her home in Camberwell, London behind in 1912.
Titanic[]
They prepared to go on a vessel but there was a shortage of coal due to the large strike taking place in England so the ship was bound from going.Therefore, they had to be rebooked to the Maiden Voyage of Titanic. Ellen and Clear were passengers in Second Class. They had a cabin on E-Deck. Titanic left the port of Southampton on April 10 after 12 o’clock. The young women got to know the West family.
On April 14, 23:40 P.M, it was a rude awakening for both girls when Titanic made contact with an iceberg. The impact nearly launched her out of bed. She turned to her friend immediately and wondered what this could be. The ship had stopped moving. A steward came telling them they should be in bed for there wasn't the slightest of risk. They didn’t listen to him and overheard someone saying the word ‘iceberg’. The excitement must have been too much to bear as they headed up top. They spent a lot of time on the Boat Deck before the launch of the destress rockets made them realise that there was danger. Titanic was sinking and needed help.
She survived the Titanic disaster by getting in lifeboat 14. Her friend was also in this boat. Nellie could see Titanic’s end drawing near and was one of many witnesses who affirmed that she had broken in two, while Nellie had heard explosions too. But the next sound, which appeared after the groaning of metal had stopped, was the wail of those that were desperate to stay alive which made more of an impression on her than the ship’s demise.
Nellie and Clear were later in lifeboat 10, as part of the distribution plan that Fifth Officer Lowe, who manned the boat, had in place when he stepped up to clear space and go look for a few more survivors.
The Carpathia came to resuce them. She was at the scene were Titanic had disappeared at 4:00 A.M. Lifeboat 10 was picked up at 6:45 A.M. Later in the morning, when all remaining Titanic passengers and crew were safely aboard, she set course for New York. The ship arrived there on April 18. Her sister Lucy and her husband were waiting at the pier, with a car.
Nellie wrote a telegram to ensure her parents weren’t worred more than they needed to be and sent it to Maidenhead. Later, she also sent an angry letter with a demand for compensation from the White Star Line: The sum was $651. On April 23, she wrote the Maidenhead Advertiser to publish her story.
Later life[]
Ellen resumed to try various jobs that mostly involved cooking but nothing could satisfy her and she moved to another place every time. She became an Army Cook in the British Corps when World War 1 was swirling. In 1919 she was especially honored by receiving the British Empire Medal for her excellent duties.
All the while she was single until the 1920s, still being resident at her half-sister Lucy’s place at the Ruddenton Farm. Her spouse became William George Lipscomb, who she married in October 1923. Their new address was in Brooklyn. William’s sister Rebecca took them in. He had a lower bank job and did something in appartments in the 1930s, while Nellie did needlework. They remained childless.
They were still living in Brooklyn in the 1940s. William George Lipscomb was alive till November 28, 1945.
Nellie was 73 when she passed away on September 4, 1949.