Mystery of Titanic chef resolved

A FAMILY believe they have solved the riddle of an ancestor who claimed to have survived the sinking of the Titanic, but for whom there had been no record of him having been on board.

David Lee, of Emsworth, Hampshire, said that his great-uncle Henry Reginald Lee had told of having worked as a chef on the ill-fated liner.

But his story had been dismissed by some as tall tales because his name was not listed among the crew or passengers.

But his great-nephew said that research carried out with his cousin, Nigel Godfrey, has led them to believe Henry Lee had served under the false name of Frank Martin.

He said that there is a F Martin listed on the Titanic’s crew as a scullion and had the same date of birth of 28 June, 1882, as his great-uncle.

Mr Lee said: “Our family had always believed that my great-uncle was on the Titanic but his name was not listed anywhere.

“But it turned out he was using a false name.”