13 April 2012

Aberdeen Grave Discovery Of Titanic Quartermaster

The great-granddaughter of the man who was at the helm of Titanic when the vessel struck an iceberg and sank has made an emotional visit to his Aberdeen grave.

Sally Nilsson has written a book about the life of her late great-grandfather Robert Hichens, who was the quartermaster aboard the vessel when it sank with the loss of 1,514 lives on April 15, 1912.

Mr Hichens survived the sinking but his name was tarnished after being labelled a coward and branded the villain of the sinking.

Mrs Nilsson hopes her book will help set the record straight about her great-grandfather's involvement in the tragedy.

While she was researching the book, her attention turned to the Granite City after it was suggested Mr Hichens could be buried in one of the city's cemeteries.

The sailor died of heart failure in September 1940 aboard the English Trader which was waiting to discharge grain at Aberdeen Harbour at the time.

Mrs Nilsson approached Aberdeen City Council's bereavement services and after some detective work by Ian Burnett the record of the grave was recently uncovered.

It shows Mr Hichens is buried at lair 244, section 10 of Trinity Cemetery.

Mr Burnett said: "It is a fascinating story and I was more than happy to help Mrs Nilsson in her search. I am in no doubt that this is the grave and, according to the records, Mr Hichens is buried with two other men.

"I am glad I was able to help Mrs Nilsson reach the end of what has been a very long journey."

(GK)