Charles Lightoller
Charles Lightoller | |
|---|---|
Lightoller in 1920, Ellis Island Records | |
| Born | 30 March 1874 Chorley, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 8 December 1952 (aged 78) Richmond, London, England |
| Other names | Lights |
| Occupations | Mariner, Naval officer |
| Spouse |
Iowa Sylvania Zillah Hawley-Wilson
(m. 1903) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Louise Patten (granddaughter) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Naval Reserve |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands | HMTB 117 HMS Falcon HMS Garry |
| Conflicts | World War I |
| Awards | |
Commander Charles Herbert Lightoller DSC & Bar RD RNR (30 March 1874 – 8 December 1952), was a British mariner and naval officer who was the second officer on board the ocean liner RMS Titanic during its ill-fated maiden voyage, and was the most senior crewmember to survive the disaster.
During the sinking, and as the officer in charge of loading passengers into lifeboats on the port side, Lightoller strictly enforced the women and children only protocol, not allowing any male passengers to board the lifeboats unless they were needed as auxiliary seamen. Lightoller went down with the ship and survived the night balancing on Collapsible B with several others.
Lightoller served as a commanding officer in the Royal Navy during World War I and he was twice decorated for gallantry. During World War II, in retirement, he voluntarily provided his personal yacht, the Sundowner, and sailed her as one of the "little ships" in the Dunkirk evacuation.