Thomas Roussel Davids Byles - Titanic Second Class Passenger
Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles was a Catholic priest who was traveling aboard Titanic as a second class passenger. He joined the ship at the start of Titanic’s maiden voyage from Southampton, and was travelling aboard the ship to America, so that he could attend and officiate his brother’s wedding.
He was born on 26th February 1870 in Shelton, Staffordshire, United Kingdom. He was educated at Oxford University, where, at Balliol College, he studied mathematics, modern history and theology, graduating in 1894. He was ordained as a Catholic priest on 15th June 1902.
Aboard Titanic on Sunday 14th April 1912, the day Titanic later stuck the iceberg, he said mass to the Catholic second class passenger during the morning, followed by doing the same for Titanic’s third class passengers, in English and French.
As Titanic was sinking he is said to have helped those on board and said prayers and listened to confessions. He did not survive the sinking. His body is not known to have been recovered.
Related pages - Titanic's Second Class Passengers, All Titanic Pages