blue plaque · Liverpool

Thomas William Jones

Photograph at the Thomas William Jones blue plaque
Photograph via Wikipedia (Thomas Jones (Titanic survivor), CC BY-SA).

This blue plaque commemorates Thomas William Jones, often known as Tommy or Tom Titanic, an able seaman who was a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Born in 1877, Jones was a distinctive figure among the crew. His actions during the disaster, particularly his command of Lifeboat No. 8 and his insistence on searching for further survivors, marked him as a particularly notable individual. The plaque specifically highlights his lifelong residence at this address after the event, until his death in 1967, ensuring his connection to the city of Liverpool and his extraordinary experience is remembered.

The memorial serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the Titanic disaster, an event that deeply affected seafaring communities across Britain. Seamen like Jones were integral to the maritime industry that defined cities such as Liverpool during the turn of the 20th century. The tradition of blue plaques in the UK aims to connect significant historical figures like Jones with the places they lived and worked, thereby preserving local heritage and offering tangible links to broader historical narratives. This particular plaque places Jones's personal story within the broader context of one of the 20th century's most enduring maritime tragedies.

The plaque dedicated to Thomas William Jones is affixed to the exterior of 84 Jacob Street in Liverpool. Visitors can observe the plaque from the public pavement, providing an opportunity to reflect on the life of an individual connected to a pivotal historical event. The site can be easily accessed and viewed, inviting contemplation of the personal stories intertwined with the city's rich maritime history.

Inscription

AB Thomas William "Tom Titanic" Jones/1877 -1967/An able-bodied seaman aboard the Titanic who who heroically manned lifeboat No. 8/lived here after the disaster until his death in 1967
Transcribed from the blue plaque at 84 Jacob Street.

Background

Thomas William Jones, known to many as Tommy or Tom Titanic, held significance as a British sailor whose life story was forever intertwined with the momentous event of the Titanic's sinking. As a member of the deck crew, he served with the rank of able seaman.

Jones demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion following the disaster. He was entrusted with commanding lifeboat #8 as it departed the vessel. His commitment to others was evident as he voiced a desire to return to the scene in search of survivors. This profound experience forged a lasting connection with the Countess of Rothes, another individual present in lifeboat #8. Their shared journey and her support for his humanitarian impulse led to a lifelong exchange of letters.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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