Death of a Purser

About the Book

Over the years I have tried to get the answers to the many, many questions that I have been asked regarding the RMS Titanic's Chief Purser Hugh Richard Walter McElroy, in doing this Autobiography and family research, the world can now know and hopefully understand Hugh, also I hope all those questions that have been asked over the years have now possibly been answered also if others wish to go further into speculation, like they have in the past, will find that there is no substitute for the truth, I hope that they will do their research rationally in locating the raw truth and with some regard to the simple fact that there are no villains in this story: just human beings with human characteristics. This book contains a large amount of unknown facts about the family and Hugh, regards his early life, His never before told regards his unknown life with the White Star Line; what happened to Barbara after Hugh died; Why did Hugh's sister Charlotte's name disappear so quickly from the Southampton Committee of the Titanic Relief Fund, in November 1914) after all she was a class "A" dependants. The loss of the R.M.S. Titanic created a debate that has raged ever since, and probably will do so for ever, It happened in 1912, prior to two world wars, long before television, indeed, long before the talking pictures. It was an era as different to today as one can imagine, It was a world quite unlike our present days in nearly every respect, yet this event has even the most modern child's attention when it is spoken of. It is a story and the effects of its happening endure, and will always endure, so long as humans remain human.

About the Author

I have decided, as I am the last remaining McElroy in this family, I would finally open the doors to the world, with regards to the McElroy family, unlike the past which was speculation, they can now know the truth. My dear Nan whom I spent most of my young life with, died in 1964, I have over the years badgered my Mum with questions and she would always say; "That's a private matter, leave it be?" my Mum died in 1986, and I miss them both tremendously, my Nan for the way she would listen to all our problems, and the way she helped me with things most teenager goes through, and my Mum for all the things I wanted to tell and finally didn't have time to, I love you both, I have kept my promise to both of them While the family are truly satisfied with these events in the McElroy family and Hugh's life, while it does not purport to answer all the questions about Hugh, his family and the world around him, which have been raised, it does, I hope, attempt to distinguish the essential circumstances and sets out, reasoned and realistic interpretations, now the people can now make their own judgement with the knowledge of the family.