The Tilling Collection
Commissioning Run Memorabilia
I never cease to be overwhelmed by the generosity of visitors to the Timeline. There are rarely days that go by now without someone offering some new snippet of information, or telling me about their connection with the Caronia.
I'm proud and delighted to add The Tilling Collection of memorabilia to the Timeline, having been able to acquire several pieces that were kept by Mr. R. Tilling, a Cunard Baggage Master, from Caronia's Commissioning Run - shown on these artefacts as “The Coastal Cruise”
Jack Tilling
[Photo: The Tilling Collection]
Born Ralph Tilling (always known as “Jack”) 15th November 1897 in Liverpool the youngest of nine children.
- Started work at age fourteen for Cunard Steamship Company as a Clerk
- Volunteered for service in WW1 at age sixteen, November 11th, 1914
- Trained in this country 1914/15/16
- Saw active service in France 1917/18
- Invalided out in May 1918 - gassed. (Damaged lungs for the rest of his life plus deformed back due to carrying heavy packs before being fully grown)
- After WW1 he returned to work at Cunard as a Clerk in Liverpool
- Around 1922 prior to the merging of Cunard Steamship Co. and White Star Line in 1934, he was transferred to Southampton
Spent the rest of his working life in the Office and Dockside as Baggage Master with the exception of 1941 - 1945 when the transatlantic service was suspended as the “Queens” were used as troopships. During this time the family returned to the Liverpool area and he worked in the Treasurer's Department of Liverpool City Council (which he hated).
In 1945 he returned to Southampton and resumed his job as Baggage Master. This involved many late nights as ships arrived with the tide and often he was on the dockside until the early hours to meet incoming passengers and supervise the unloading of the baggage. He “looked after” many famous people and their baggage e.g. Lord and Lady Docker and also all the equipment for the Technicolor Company and the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.
In 1948 he was invited along with other shore side staff to enjoy three days on Caronia's commissioning voyage from Glasgow to Southampton. This was the one and only time in forty-five years’ service that he actually went to sea on a liner.
In 1960 he retired early(!) at the age of 63 because of ill-health. He was much respected and loved by his family, colleagues and the many passengers with whom he came into contact.
Jack Tilling died in 1974 – much missed by all his family but well remembered.
[Obituary provided by Joyce Taylor]
The full list of the Tilling Collection is shown below…
__________________________ The Tilling Collection _________________________________ Caronia commissioning Run Dec 1948 Photo of R. Tilling (shown above) Log Abstract 18-20 December 1948 - on back of a "new Caronia" postcard 2 further Caronia postcards, including the 1st Valentine's issue Programme of Events for Sunday 19 December 1948 Ocean Times for Sunday 19 December 1948 Dinner Menu for Saturday 18 December 1948 Dinner Menu for Sunday 19 December 1948 Caronia's Inaugural Brochure Commissioning Run Passenger List Scroll Celebrating Maiden Voyage on 04 Jan 1949