Aquitania (1914)
HMS / HMHS Aquitania
Message Board
Messages 25 - 49

49.
Jan. 5, 2010

I'm a World War 11 veteran trying to verify the story that actor Raymond Massey returned from Europe late 1945 aboard the Aquitania. If you have a passenger list or a newspaper clipping on it, please let me know.

Thanks,
Frank Walsh
Coos Bay, Oregon

Reply 1
Jan. 13, 2011

Raymond Massey did return on Aquitania Oct. 4, 1945 per the article below. (As a side note I highly recommend the film he has just finished, A Matter of Life and Death, he played only a small supporting role, but the overall film, starring David Niven and Kim Hunter, is quite good. A little hard to find, but worth the effort.
Michael W. Pocock
(webmaster)

 

48.
Jan. 7, 2011

I am trying to find my auntie and was fortunate enough to obtain this information from the British Red Cross just recently. They tell me she was a passenger on the Aquitania leaving Southampton UK on 29 September 1948 bound for Nova Scotia, Canada. The Canadian Red Cross found no details of her arrival so I am wondering if she married  upon arrival or on ship. She is listed as a passenger under the name of SHEILA MARGARET RALLI-ALAMANGOS. Wondering if she did marry and if she has family in Canada. Maybe one of her relatives may be reading this message. I would be grateful for any information. My Aunt was originally from India.

Thanks,
Stefany


47.
Jan. 4, 2011

I'm a World War 11 veteran trying to verify the story that actor Raymond Massey returned from Europe late 1945 aboard the Aquitania. If you have a passenger list or a newspaper clipping on it, please let me know.

Thanks,
Frank Walsh
Coos Bay, Oregon


46.
Jan. 1, 2011

I sailed on the Aquitania from Southampton to Halifax with my parents, Constance and Frank Phillips, and my Grandfather, George Edwin Tingle. I was about 3 1/2 years old. My mother and I slept in a large room with many bunks going up the walls and the men were in separate similar quarters as the ship still the had accommodations they used for the troops. We arrived in Halifax on October 6, 1947 then travelled by train to Winnipeg. Some years ago I did obtain a picture of the ship from Pier 21 in Halifax where they added our personal details to the bottom of the picture. A few years ago I found a diary my mother had kept on the voyage and forwarded a copy of it to Pier 21.

Lynda Blundell (nee Phillips)
Vancouver, Canada


45.
Dec. 6, 2010

My grandmother was on the maiden voyage of the RMS Aquitania on May 30, 1914. I just found this out from a second cousin at my grandmothers birthday. My grandmother is Bertha Kunkel and she is celebrating her 100th birthday on December 8, 2010. My cousin had a copy of the manifest from this voyage that listed her and some other family members along with pictures of the Aquitania. This was incredible to find out what ship she came over on. My grandmother is the oldest of 16 children. She is in great health so hopefully she will remain with us another five or so years.

Lisa Tarara
Minnesota


44.
Nov. 7, 2010

I arrived on the SS Aquitania on Sept. 24 1946. I was just 2 1/2 months old. I would love to obtain a passenger list. Does anyone know how to get this? Thanks for any help. My mother was a war bride and we came from England (not sure which port) and landed in Halifax.

Anita Walton


43.
Oct. 31, 2010

I was able to obtain a copy of the Jan 11,1949 passenger list for the Aquitania leaving Southampton en route to Halifax. My mother, brother and myself were listed. The cost was less than $10 and worth every penny. The lists can be found under the "Migration" tab at www.findmypast.co.uk and are summarized before you are asked to pay for the detail. Great site for those that are looking for copies of actual documents.

David Seymour 


42.
Oct. 28, 2010

My mom, Edna Rose Schaus (nee: Kingdom) was on the Aquitania May 1946. Mom and Dad are still together and living in Selkirk, Ontario. Mom does not remember anyone from the ship, and I only just started the research.

Thanks,
Terri Kyle (nee Schaus)


41.
Aug. 12, 2010

I emigrated to Canada in 1949 from Southampton, as a passenger on the S.S. Aquitania, with my parents (Jan B. Kapsa and Diana Lawson Kapsa) and my two brothers (Zygmunt Iain and Konrad Stuart) in June 1949, landing at Halifax and eventually settling in Toronto.  I am very keen to know more about the experience of that voyage, and would very much value any contact from other fellow passengers.  I was a baby of 1 year 5 months, Zygmunt was 7 and Konrad was 4 when we set sail. Many thanks in advance for any information, small and large.

Deirdre Kamilia Kapsa
New York


40
Aug. 5, 2010

I am looking for an oil painting of RMS Aquitania on black velvet by artist William Albert Edward Jeneway who was my grandfather. Many of his paintings were signed Will Prince which was his nickname. The last known location of this particular piece was when it was on display in Tudor House, Southampton around 1977. It was on loan to the museum from Mr. P. Lagan. Has anyone seen it and or know of its whereabouts? William was a prolific artist who painted may liners and also places the cruise liners visited around the world. Information about any other items he painted would be very welcome.

Many thanks,
Barbara Foley

Reply 1
Dec. 7, 2010

Years ago I was given watercolors of the Titanic and the Olympic by an English woman who received them from the aunt who raised her. Both of the paintings are signed "W. Jeneway."  The Titanic painting is dated 1912 and I was told was made as it was leaving on its maiden voyage from Southampton. I believe the aunt lived in Southampton at the time and was present in the departure crowd. The Olympic painting may have a date on it but I cannot tell because of the way it is framed. Both of the paintings show the ships in heavy seas, with waves splashing far up their hulls. The Titanic is seen from the starboard side and the Olympic from the port.  (see Titanic Message Board Message #13 ) or (Olympic Message Board Message #1)

What is curious about the pair is that the "W. Jeneway" signature on the Olympic is quite different from the one on the Titanic. The Titanic signature is very tightly and meticulously drawn while the Olympic signature is larger and uneven. I have not been able to find any other paintings or pictures of these two ships in such heavy and frothy seas. There is a record of a sale by Bonhams on October 18, 2005 that is described as  "Lot No: 822 W. A. Richards 'H.M.S. P.34 1916', signed, inscribed on label verso, watercolour and bodycolour, 18 x 24cm , together with another watercolour by Will Jeneway - 'H.M.H.S. Aquitania', signed and inscribed, 24.5 x 30cm. (2) Sold for £153 inclusive of Buyer's Premium ." Could this be what you are looking for?

Bob Pannier

Reply 2
Dec. 9, 2010

The information is very interesting. The reason for the two signatures is that William was ambidextrous. He could paint and write with both hands simultaneously. I have attached a photo of one of his paintings of the Olympic similar to your description and a close up of the signature to see if they match yours. This is one of our original watercolours. I can't think who the aunt may have been but will ask surviving family members of his children's generation if they know anything.

William did not sail on the Titanic as he caught Scarlet Fever and was taken off the ship just hours before it sailed. His paintings of ships were prolific and his brother sold them to passengers, often with little calendars pinned to the bottom of them. Many were also signed Will Prince as his Christian names were William Albert Edward. If ever you decide to sell your pictures, please contact me as William has a huge family and I am sure someone might be interested in buying it/them as we don't have many that are signed 'Jeneway'. Thank you for the information you have provided.

Best regards,
Barbara Foley


39.
Aug. 4, 2010

Looking for my aunt Margaret Ellen Reddick who sailed on the Aquitania on 21 February 1947 from Southampton to Halifax.  I am trying to trace what happened to her after she arrived in Halifax, and if anyone knows of her or her family! Can anyone please help me.

Christopher Shilling,
England


38.
June 17, 2010

I just found in my fathers papers a newspaper article listing the names of the war brides arriving in Halifax on May 2, 1946 via the Aquitania (War Brides List). There are 77 names listed, my Mother was one of them. I decided to type out the list for you.... In doing so, I realized this list appeared in the Montreal paper.... so I am sure there were far more women and children but these are just the ones destined for Montreal and area.

Cheers,
Linda Peeling (nee Feller)

Reply 1
Sept. 9, 2010

Because of this list, I was able to find documentary evidence to prove my arrival in Halifax on May 2nd of 1946 as the child of a war bride (Phyllis Davies, Sherbrooke)-- thus ending my onerous "lost Canadian"  experience with the OAS and Service Canada as I tried to convince them that I was eligible for Old Age Supplement benefits when I retire at the end of this month. Without this information, I seriously doubt that I would have been approved. I received the good news yesterday morning, and the woman at OAS told me that it was the list on the website that convinced her to put it through without further delay. So, thank you, thank you, Linda Peeling! You have saved the day for our family. Just wanted you to know what a wonderful thing you have done. All the best to you and yours.

Norman Davies
Formerly of Sherbrooke, PQ


37.
May 25, 2010

My mum, Irene Bell was on board the S.S. Aquitania Oct 19th 1948. She was 3 1/2 years old. Also my
grandparents, Arthur and Madge Bell, my uncle Graham and my aunts June and Elaine. I'm looking for any pictures or a passenger record from this ship!!

Thank you for your help,
Jessica


36.
Mar. 6, 2010

I am the proud owner of a piece of history. My name is Scott Duthie and I am the Great Grandson of Thomas Arthur Duthie, owner of Duthie & Co. He shipped fruit on the Aquitania and other Cunard lines. He was awarded a very interesting piece. They took a painting and turned it into a poster. To do this, they had to make a stamp for a printing press. Once printing was completed, the stamp was framed and painted over with oil based paints. This is now in my possession. I have never been able to find this image, nor have I been able to find the mirror image, as that is what the stamp would print. Please contact me if you know anything about it. I know nothing of it and need to find out.  (See image in The Art of Aquitania section)

Thank you,
Scott Duthie
 
Reply 1
Mar. 13, 2010

I've seen this print before, and know a little bit about it. The painting is known as a Lithograph on Tin, and they are becoming increasingly rare, especially if they are in good condition and well preserved. Those that aren't well cared for begin to rust through on both the front and back, and the image has to be restored. As you might guess, restoration of tin prints is a very costly effort. The tin plates were not made to print posters of the image,  the tin prints themselves were the intended creation. That's why you can't find any poster prints of this image, none were ever made.  

Also, the colors in the image were printed directly on the tin in a single stamping. This tin print of Aquitania was made through a bulk order in 1914 by the Cunard Line. The tin prints were made for display in the company's ticket agencies and offices on both sides of the Atlantic. It's important to remember that we're talking about a time when the number of funnels on a ship actually had a bearing on an immigrants decision upon which ship he and his family would make their crossing of a lifetime. Therefore, it was of course advantageous for a company to advertise their largest and most important ships, especially if that ship was a four stacker. 

Surprisingly, many such tin prints have survived, including some from other shipping lines, such as White Star, and the German Lines. I've also seen a tin litho of the Olympic before, they may be the rarest of all. It's not unusual to see these tin prints of Aquitania auctioned on eBay, or through Southby's or Christies auction sites in either New York, or the UK. Depending on their condition and originality, they can command a rather hefty price.

This tin litho shows Aquitania as completed in 1914, when she was Cunard's newest, and largest ship. It also shows a link with the companies past, as it displays the Cunard Line's first vessel, the Britannia, in the lower right. The wooden frame is original, and should have a small brass plate with the words "Cunard Line" on it.  You can see the spot in the lower center part of the frame where the brass plate had once been. Hope this info helps you, your print appears to me, to be in very good condition. You should look for a replacement brass plate, because it will increase it's value substantially.

Take care,
Clyde George


35.
Feb. 9, 2010

Thank you so much for such a good read. My great uncle was Sir James Charles, Commodore of the Fleet.  We are trying to do a family tree and wonder if you have any history on him? Does anyone know if there are living relatives with the last name of Charles? We do know he was buddies with Shackleton.

Yours truly,
Maeve Johnston
Nanaimo , British Columbia, Canada


34.
Jan. 27, 2010

My mom came to the states on the Aquitania on 10-12-3. Any chance of viewing the passenger list. Their names would be: Jan Kaczynski with Catherine and their six children, ma was Stacia Kaczynski.

Paul J. Doherty
Danvers, Massachusetts


33.
Jan. 24, 2010

My husband's mother was a war bride and came to Halifax, Nova Scotia when he was 4 years old, we think that it was the year 1949. The passport she carried had a picture of her and he was in her arms and had no passport of his own.  The Government of Canada will not give him his Old Age Pension until he proves that he is a Canadian citizen. My husband served in the Canadian Army and has a Government document that says he is a Canadian Citizen but they still won't accept this information as they require the exact date that they arrived in Canada. His father was in the armed forces in England (a Native Canadian) and he was always told that he assumed Canadian Citizenship by rights because of his father. We are desperate to get a manifest listing of passengers on the last sailing of the Aquitania in 1949.

Unsigned


32.
Jan. 3, 2010

I was going through papers from a great (3) uncle Robert N. Maxey, who was on board the RMS Aquitania that sailed from New York in 1918 and went to Liverpool and Calais, France. It says List of Saloon passengers....
has information for passengers, like where the phone is, everything that a passenger might want to know and then the list of passengers. Robert N. Maxey was from Arkansas and Tennessee. He was an attorney and founded the little town of Imboden, Arkansas. He was a judge and was later on the Supreme Court of Arkansas. 

Mr. Maxey was in law practice with Patrick J. Hurley. It is said, that Mr. Maxey was a brilliant attorney especially when he was "3 sheets to the wind" and that he tried mostly murder cases and usually won.  When the two were in law practice, my uncle would take off "work" and travel the "billiards circuit"!  leaving Mr. Hurley to run the practice!  Also, my uncle, was a "ladies man" and always wore a hat and carried a cane. However, the cane was "hollow" because he had "booze" in the cane.  He also had his billiard ques especially made because most were also hollow, so he could have  "a swig during the match"!  

History is wonderful! It should  never be forgotten. I also have the first printing of the Sinking of the Titanic, I cherish this book.


Sue O'Bannon-Bennis
Baton Rouge, Louisiana


31.
Oct. 5, 2009

I am really anxious to find a passenger list for the Aquitania for Nov 1948, can any one help? Not sure where we left from in England or if we arrived in Canada or the USA as I was only 7 years old at the time. I remember the ship still had all the war hangings over the pictures in the hallways etc my parents were separated by sex into different areas of the ship.

I do remember one night my Father was visiting our cabin and it was so rough that I came flying out of my top bunk and my dad caught me before I fell onto the floor. Have traveled on a few other ships since but cannot remember the years (parents now deceased) but twice on the Mauritania and once on the Franconia plus one other I can't remember. 

Also my Dad was on the Queen Mary in the 1950's. Hope someone can help me. I may have a picture taken of me on the deck of the ship in 1948 but I would have to really look for it among my parents things. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Margaret
Thunder Bay On Canada


30.
Sept. 5, 2009

On Monday, 19th July 1920, shortly after departing Liverpool on her first Atlantic crossing following conversion from coal to oil at Armstrong Whitworth's yard on the Tyne, RMS Aquitania suffered a boiler room explosion caused by a ruptured steam pipe. A fireman, James Curran, was injured, and Sixth Engineer, Scot Seymour Bannerman Barkway, a young Liverpool man, was killed and his body buried at sea Staff Captain F. E. Storey, RNR officiating, off the coast of Southern Ireland.

Scot, who I believe began his Cunard apprenticeship shortly before the First World War, had rejoined Cunard after being demobilised in 1918 and previously served on the former German liner Imperator (later renamed RMS Berengaria). Seymour (as he was known to his friends and family) was my wife's uncle, and I am looking for any information that anyone may have regarding his career with Cunard and, in particular, the circumstances surrounding the accident which killed him. I have attached a photograph of Scot and some of his fellow officers in (I think) 1920. I have been unable to identify the ship or his fellow officers - perhaps you someone can help here. 

John Russell 

Reply 1
Apr. 22, 2011

I have been trying to find out about a watercolour painting by Scot Barkway, dated 18/10/1918 (see below) and came across a message for information on your website (No.30) posted by a John Russell regarding this person. It appears that the watercolour was given by Scot Barkway to my Great, great uncle, Peter Steele, 28th Bttn, AIF who was probably aboard the Aquitania during the 1st World War. I would be very grateful if you could pass this message on to John Russell as I'm sure that his family would find this information and the painting of interest and I would be very pleased to hear from them personally.

Kind regards,
Alyson Gilbert-Smith


Scott Seymour Bannerman Barkway seen in the back row, first on left.

Apprentice Barkway seen in two photos from 1913.


Newspaper article that appeared in the London Times on July 20, 1920.

A watercolour painting by Scot Barkway.
(Image courtesy of Alyson Gilbert-Smith)

29.
July 27, 2009

In answer to John Samuals Australia re log book Aquitania 1941, in 41 the Aquitania was a troopship my father sailed from Sydney on I think the 11th April 1941 for Malaya , I would appreciate any information you have.

John Peters


28.
June 25, 2009

My wife came to Canada with her parents, a brother and grandmother as well as 3 more family members on the Aquitania while it was still a troop ship. Left England on Feb 28/48 arrived at Halifax March 4/48 and would like to get a copy of the passenger list. Please advise if there is way to obtain. Thanks for you help in advance.

Peter Cooper
Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada
(Her family name at the time was Talbot) 
 

27.
May 21, 2009

This is a very long shot but my relative George Sims born 1902 is on the passenger list for the Aquitania Oct 9th 1920 sailing to New York - he was only 18 and hoping for a new life away from the inevitable life as a coal
miner in South Wales where he was born into a large family.

I would be delighted if any of his subsequent U.S. family saw this as he did indeed settle and make a life for himself but I do not have more details than that.

Penny Fraser
Surrey, England


26.
May 8, 2009

I am one of the many trying to find my name on the passenger list of the Aquitania to determine my arrival date in Canada. The info I have is that we sailed from Southampton to Halifax in March 1948. My mother's name was Mary Alexander Lindsay and she was traveling with my 7 year old brother Robert Ian Lindsay and I, Valerie Jean Lindsay, age 3.  Is there any way to obtain this info? Many thanks in advance.

Valerie Lindsay


25.
Apr. 29, 2009

Re: sailing of Aquitania, Southampton to Halifax arriving Aug 7, 1947 (I believe) My grandmother Jessie Welch age 27 escorted a 4 year old girl on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross so that she might be delivered to her war veteran  father in Saskatchewan. She pronounced her name as Jeanie Chiceletz, although that would probably not be the spelling. The Red Cross took custody of her at the port in Halifax. Did she make it to her destination?  She would be about 66 now.

Thanks,
Shauna C Pearson
Alberta, Canada




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Messages 25-49
Page published Sept. 8, 2009