John James Charman

1886 – 1912

This stone, marking the burial place of Solomon and Mary Charman, also commemorates their son who went down with RMS Titanic whilst on his first job at sea. The grave’s inscription reads:

John James Charman
Son of the above
lost his life on
the Titanic
April 15th 1912
Aged 26

John’s father Solomon was a labourer and died in 1899 when John was only 13. Despite being the youngest of 8 children John soon went into employment to help his partially sighted mother support the family. A 1901 census lists John as working as a page in the employ of a family in London.

He then found a job as a waiter at a hotel in Southampton. This experience enabled him to be accepted as a saloon steward on The Titanic.

Charman was due to receive a monthly salary on the RMS Titanic of £3 15s and sent his mother a final communication saying: “I hope to make a bit of money this trip so you will be alright when I return home, don’t worry dear Mother”.

Although his body was not returned to Horsham it is likely that it was identified and buried at sea. All stewards wore a small copper badge with a unique number on their right arm and Charman was allocated number 20. 328 bodies were recovered from the disaster site and, although unconfirmed, one wearing the steward number 20 was recorded. The document notes that he was wearing a football jersey over pyjamas and a steward’s coat, suggesting that he was off duty when the liner struck the iceberg.

His mother remained in Horsham and passed away in 1935, aged 93.