Bertram Frank Dean (1886–1912) was a London-born publican who, with his wife, Eva, and two children, Bertram Vere and Millvina, boarded the RMS Titanic to seek a new life in Kansas. Tragically, his family escaped the catastrophe, but he died. Millvina, his daughter, died in 2009, making her the sole surviving Titanic survivor. His tale continues to be a moving aspect of Titanic history.
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Who is Bertram Frank Dean?
Bertram Frank Dean was a London-born publican who tragically became part of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. He was born on June 30, 1886, and married Eva Georgette “Ettie” Light. The two of them ran a tavern in London.
Bertram’s 1912, Frank Dean and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, to own a tobacconist store and chase a better life. Due to a coal strike, the family was inspired to board the RMS Titanic as third-class passengers.
For more details, visit Encyclopedia Titanica.
This ship collided with an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912, and Bertram made sure his wife and children, Millvina and Bertram Vere, travelled to a lifeboat. Regrettably, Bertram Frank Dean never survived the slipping away, and his body was never located.
Early Life and Family
Bertram Frank Dean was born in London, England, on June 30, 1886. He married Eva Georgette Timee Light, who was several years his senior. Together, they managed a public house in London.
The couple had two children:
Bertram Vere, born in 1910, and Eliza Gladys, “living,” born in 1912. Millvina would later become famous as the youngest Titanic passenger and the last disaster survivor.
Bertram Frank’s decision to emigrate to America with his family in 1912 marked a turning point, leading them to board the RMS Titanic.
Legacy of Bertram Frank Dean
Bertram Frank Dean’s legacy is deeply tied to the Titanic disaster and his family’s survival. His sacrifice saved the survival of his wife, Eva, and their two children, Bertram Vere and Millvina.
Millvina, just nine weeks old during the tragedy, grew up to become the last living Titanic survivor, keeping her father’s memory alive until she died in 2009.
Bertram Frank Dean’s story highlights the courage and loss experienced by many families aboard the Titanic. His life and tragic end remain poignant in maritime history.
The Journey of the Titanic
The RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage began on April 10, 1912, from Southampton, England. It made stops in Cherbourg and Queenstown before heading to New York. Among its passengers was Bertram Frank Dean, who travelled with his third-class family and hoped to start a new life in America.
On April 14, the ship struck an iceberg, leading to its tragic sinking in the early hours of April 15. While Bertram Frank Dean did not survive, his wife and children were among the rescued.
The Titanic’s journey remains one of history’s most infamous maritime events, symbolizing human ambition and vulnerability.
Life After the Titanic
After the Titanic disaster, Bertram Frank Dean’s family faced a life forever changed. His wife, Eva, and their two children, Millvina and Bertram Vere returned to England and started over without him.
As a baby at the time of the catastrophe, Millvina did not learn of her connection to the Titanic until much later. She told her story until she died in 2009, becoming a symbol of the disaster’s lingering effects.
Bertram By securing his family’s survival, Frank Dean left a legacy of fortitude and memory.
The decision to Emigrate to America
Bertram Frank Dean dreamed of a better future for his family, so he emigrated to America. In 1912, he planned to move to Wichita, Kansas, where relatives had arranged a house and opportunities awaited.
He sold the family’s pub in London and booked third-class tickets on the RMS Titanic, hoping to open a tobacconist shop in their new home. Sadly, this journey ended in tragedy, but Bertram Frank Dean’s courage and determination testify to his hopes for a brighter future.
Conclusion:
Bertram Frank Dean’s story poignantly reminds us of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. His daughter Millvina, the final Titanic survivor, left a lasting legacy by ensuring his wife and kids survived his sacrifice. His life and terrible demise are still remembered as a tribute to the bravery and lasting effects of the most well-known maritime disaster in history.
