The Coutts Family

Minnie Trainer (top) was born in Ireland on February 2, 1876. She married William Coutts in 1902 and they had two sons, William Jr.(born on October 16, 1902)(middle) and Neville (born on October 23, 1908)(bottom). William had gone and lived in Brooklyn, New York as an engraver. As he worked, he sent spare money to his family until they had enough to join him in New York. William Jr; Minnie, and Neville boarded the TITANIC in 3rd class to save money. On April 14, 1912, Minnie was awoken by a commotion going passed her cabin. She heard what happened and waited for the stewards to wake her so that the children would get enough sleep. However, she waited for some time so she dressed the children and they went to the boat deck. Once they got there, they were ushered to a boat but William was denied entrance because the straw hat he was wearing made him look older when he was nine. Finally, after much arguing and begging, he was allowed in. The Coutts were rescued and continued on to Brooklyn, New York where Mr. Coutts was reunited with his family. Minnie died on February 29, 1960 at the age of 84 never talking about the TITANIC. William Jr. died on December 25, 1957 at the age of 55 also not talking about his ordeal. Neville died on March 29, 1977 and he attended TITANIC survivor meetings and conferences. (Not much is known about the Coutts except for a couple of interviews with Neville and records but I thought this would be a great story where a boy almost
lost his life because of a hat).