Titanic Memorial Dumfries

During a walk along the riverside in Dumfries while visiting the Whitesands Bridges, we ended up in the Dock Park. The obelisk which sits in the middle of a grass area sparked my curiosity.

The memorial commemorates local lads John Law Hume and Thomas Mullin, who both sadly lost their lives when the Titanic sank on 14 April 1912.

The White Star liner RMS Titanic left Southampton on Wednesday 10th April on its first voyage to New York. Just before midnight on the night of Sunday 14th April, the Titanic collided with an iceberg in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

With only enough lifeboat spaces for about half of the passengers and crew, by 2am when the lifeboats had left and the remaining people were left to their destiny.

It was said by several survivors of the tragedy that the last piece of music played by the musicians was 'Nearer, My God, To Thee'. At 2.20pm, the ship finally disappeared beneath the water.

There were more than 2000 people on board and just over 700 survived. There were only 330 bodies found, leaving the remainder unrecovered.

Dock Park is where the harbour was once located in Dumfries, making it the perfect place for the memorial. It stands close to the school that John Law Hume once attended and is aptly positioned next to the bandstand where he once played.

The son of a violinist and music teacher, John was destined to become a professional violinist. He had embarked on a successful musical career, and had been a member of other ocean liner orchestras before the Titanic tragedy. The orchestra of the Titanic famously kept playing during the final hours of its sinking, John being one of these musicians.

He was born in Dumfries in 1890 and was only 21 years old when he died, leaving behind his pregnant fiancé Mary Costin. Mary later gave birth to his daughter who she named Johnann Law Hume. John is buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The other local lad that lost his life was Thomas Mullin. Thomas attended the same school as John and they even played football together. Also born in Dumfries, Thomas lost both his parents at an early age and was brought up by his maternal grandmother Mrs Gunyon. He started work in the Rosefield Mills where his father had previously worked, but his poor eyesight meant he had to leave for his own safety.

Thomas then became a steward on the ocean liners, his first voyage being only nine months before the Titanic tragedy. In his role as steward to the third class passengers, Thomas would have assisted his passengers to the life boats while knowing there was little chance of his own survival.

He was born in Maxwelltown in 1891, making him also 21 years old when he died. Thomas left behind a brother and sisters who went on to receive payments from the Titanic Relief Fund. Thomas was one of the last bodies recovered from the tragedy and he is buried in the same cemetery as John in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

A committee was set up to commemorate the local men which decided that a granite obelisk would be erected in the Dock Park. The memorial was made by Messrs Kirkpatrick of Trafford Park in Manchester, which they made for £100.

The 5m high obelisk is made of Aberdeen granite and contains two bronze panels, one bears a picture of the Titanic, and the other is a musical scroll with the words of 'Nearer, My God, To Thee'.

The rear of the memorial is inscribed: 'Erected by the people of Dumfries and Maxwelltown at home and abroad', as at the time Dumfries and Maxwelltown were two separate towns which amalgamated in 1929.

On a warm sunny 31st May 1913, the unveiling ceremony took place. It was led by the Provosts of both Dumfries and Maxwelltown as well as the minister of the Hume family's church. There was a Guard of Honour with Buglers playing the last post, and a band played 'Nearer, My God, To Thee' on the neighbouring bandstand. The towns flags hung at half mast and the bells pealed on that day.

The ceremony was attended by Thomas's grandmother Mrs Gunyon, as well as his siblings. John's father, step-mother and sister attended. Mary Costin was also there with his 6 month old daughter, Johnann.

There is parking next to Dock Park, but it is well worth spending some time walking around Dumfries and visiting the many other interesting places the town has to offer.