How I investigated Titanic's link to Stanford (From Thurrock Gazette)

How I investigated Titanic's link to Stanford

2:56pm Wednesday 18th April 2012 in Letters to the Editor

WITH regard to the forthcoming anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I am reminded of a story told to me several years ago.

During the 1980s I was a police officer at Corringham police station and one Sunday afternoon a young American couple came in.

He explained he was a naval helicopter pilot from a visiting aircraft carrier and had been joined in this country by his wife for a short holiday.

He asked if I could help him find a house in Stanford-le-Hope, not far from the railway station. He then told me this story.

Back in 1912 his grandparents and their two children, one of whom was the young man’s father, having sold their house and contents, left and caught a train to London en route to Southampton for passage to the United States.

Somewhere between Stanford-le-Hope and Fenchurch Street it was discovered a favourite teddy bear of one of the children had been left behind.

They had time to spare so returned to Stanford-le-Hope, collected it, and caught the next train to London.

But they were delayed getting across London and when they did arrive found the ship – the Titanic – had sailed without them.

They eventually did get to America and settled there. The teddy bear was put in a glass case and is treasured.

My sergeant and I studied a map and electoral roll, but were unable to find the house in any of the streets dating back to the 1900s.

Some months later I found the house is in Rectory Road, Stanford-le-Hope. – T L RUST, Giffords Cross Road, Corringham.