Percy William Fletcher (February 3rd, 1887 - April 15th, 1912) was the Bugler on the Titanic.
Early life[]
Percy William Fletcher was born on February 3, 1887 in Saint George's, London. His parents were Adam Fletcher and Fanny Randal Middleton. Adam was a coachman. Percy had 4 older siblings. 2 brothers and 2 sisters. In 1874 George was born, followed by Mary Rose in 1877, Evelyn Maud in 1883 and Arthur Henry in 1884.
Percy was educated at St Mark's School in Westminster. After he left school, he started to work in the enamel industry, and would later become a metal worker. His father passed away in 1898.
In early 1912, he married to Mary Meaney from Ireland. She was the daughter of shopkeepers. Just before their marriage, Percy had started his career at sea.
Titanic[]
Percy had worked as a steward on Titanic's sistership, the RMS Olympic, before joining the new liner. He embarked in Belfast on April 1st so he was on board during her delivery trip.
His job was to announce the lunch and dinner times for First Class by blowing the horn, which would draw the attention of the passenger so that they knew they could eat. The tune he played was 'The Roast Beef of Old England.'
He would also do this if there were any other important events that were happening on the ship. It was a rather new method introduced by the White Star Line, that would replace the usual clanging of the gongs or bells by the stewards, which was still the way of things in Second and Third Class.
On April 14, late at night, the great ocean liner met its fate by having a collision with an iceberg, which caused enough damage to her hull under the water line, to make her sink. On April 15, shortly after midnight, the commander of the ship was aware that she couldn't stay afloat and ordered for evacuation. At 2:20 A.M, Titanic foundered.
Percy William Fletcher died in the sinking and his body was never recovered. His widow Mary later moved to Canada and remarried in 1917. Percy and Mary didn't have children yet, but from her new marriage, one daughter was born, named Mary Pamela.
Portrayals[]
Titanic (1953)[]
Percy Fletcher is seen in the First Class Smoking Room announcing dinner time for the passengers. Meanwhile, Earl Meeker, Maude Young, Richard Sturges and Sandy Comstock are playing cards. When Richard hears the bugler, he takes a look and comments: "Why do the British find it necessary to announce dinner as if it's a Calvary Charge."
Percy Fletcher In Titanic 1953
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
Percy Fletcher In S.O.S. Titanic (1979)
Martin Murphy portrays Percy Fletcher in the 1979 movie 'S.O.S Titanic'. In the credits, he has a different name: Peter. He is first seen announcing Third Class passengers that it's lunchtime, even though in reality, the Bugler only did this for First Class. They ask him if they need to be worried for their safety, but he says it's only as an announcement. Kate Mullins then asks him if he plays the tune only for lunch. He replied that it was for breakfast and dinner as well, then pointing out where they could either told them where it was served. It should be noted that he is depicted as a child instead of a 25 year old crewmember.
Titanic (1997)[]
Percy Fletcher In Titanic (1997)
In the 1997 movie 'Titanic', the ship's bugler is seen in a short scene when Jack Dawson teaches Rose DeWitt Bukater how to spit. Whilst they are busy, they are approached by Rose's mother Ruth, the Countess of Rothes and Margaret Brown, who were on a walk together. They are introduced to Jack and while the conversation is nice, it's awkward because Ruth doesn't like Jack. By then, a man which must be Percy, plays a tune on the horn to announce diner. Molly Brown finds it to be a bit ridiculous and remarks that it reminds her of a cavalry charge. this quote is inspired by the 1953 film.