The travel agent who sold tickets for the Titanic

Hedley Peters, who ran his business in Sittingbourne sold two tickets – one £13 second-class ticket to a Miss Buss, and an £8 1s third class ticket to labourer Mr Rouse.

According to Kentonline, Buss had been travelling alone for her marriage to Samuel Willis in San Diego, California.

Fifty-year-old Rouse however had been hoping to find work in Cleveland.

His wife, Chariy, and eight-year-old daughter remained at home, but had hoped to join him later.

Hedley Peters’ grandson Michael Peters said: “Most people didn’t own their own homes then. Some bought their own tickets but for those who couldn’t afford it he would sell their furniture to cover the cost of their ticket.”

Buss was one of the 705 who survived the sinking of the Titanic, after escaping on Lifeboat nine.

However Rouse, whose wife is said to have tried to talk him out of travelling on the Titanic, died in the disaster.

His wife reportedly collapsed upon hearing the news of his death. His body was never recovered.

After Hedley Peters heard the news, he set up a benevolent fund for Mrs Rouse and her daughter.

“I am very proud of him for doing that,” his grandson Michael said. “My grandfather was the national chairman of the fire brigade’s widows and orphans benevolent fund, hence starting a fund to collect for the Rouse family came naturally to him.”

The sum collected was never made public.