Memories of Titanic's survivors

Titanic leaving Southampton

William and George Richards were among the very young survivors of the Titanic disaster.

Their children Jeanette Francis and Tony Richards have granted the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth permission to display some family artefacts.

Among the many treasured possessions Jeanette and her cousin Tony own include original newspapers from the day after the disaster.

It's the first time the family have allowed their treasures to be seen.

"Our family history has always been just that, our family history," explains Jeanette.

"But, hearing that National Maritime Museum Cornwall wanted to tell Cornwall's Titanic story, we thought we might pull all the family's objects together and finally tell our story.

"My father, grandmother, great grandmother, great uncle and great aunt were all on board Titanic and to tell their story is very special.

Titantic survivor George Richards meets Lord Grade

"This is a one-off. The objects loaned to the Museum mean the world to us and that's why they have never been seen publicly before, but because it's our Maritime Museum telling our county's story, then we are more than happy to share our history."

Among the many treasured possessions Jeanette and her cousin Tony own include original newspapers from the day after the disaster, through to pictures of when Tony's father George attended the world premiere of the film 'Raise the Titanic' in 1980.

George Richards was just 10 months old when he boarded the Titanic. He was the youngest survivor. His older brother William was three years old.

The family also possess pictures of their fathers as children around the time of the Titanic disaster. These items have never been seen outside of the family.

Jonathan Griffin, Director of the Maritime Museum says: "Titanic is a story with many different levels: perhaps the greatest maritime disaster but one that has so many touching personal stories.

"To have revealed little known personal accounts and exclusive never seen before objects is credit to the families of those who were affected by the disaster in having the faith to allow us to tell their story."