| Alice Middleton Second Cabin Passenger Saved |
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| Born | Alice Middleton c. 1890 |
| Died | 8 September 1964 (age 74) Livonia, Michigan, United States |
| Age on Lusitania | 25 |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Citizenship | British |
| Residence | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Other name(s) | Alice McDougall (after marriage) |
| Spouse(s) | George McDougall (1917 – ?) Please provide dates |
Alice Middleton, 25, was a British national who was traveling aboard Lusitania to go home to Britain after having spent years in the United States. During the Lusitania sinking, Alice was saved by a man who is believed to be Alfred Vanderbilt.
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Family and background
Alice was born the daughter of John Middleton and Georgana Hardingham. Alice was one of five children, the others being Chas, John, William, and Grace. Grace died at the age of five. By 1915, Alice was working as a baby’s nurse. Although she was British, she had spent much of the past several years in the United States “for her health.”
Lusitania
When Alice left for home on the last voyage of the Lusitania, she departed from Seattle, Washington. Alice had originally booked third class on the Lusitania but was able to obtain an upgrade to second. On the day of the disaster, she recalled being in the dining room with three Irish girls when one of them saw land through the porthole. Alice recalled that the girls started singing “There Is a Green Hill [Not?] Far Away ” when the ship was struck by the torpedo.
When the ship was sinking, she was on the lower promenade deck, apparently at the point of losing her reason, when she was calmed and directed by Richard Preston Prichard whom she had noticed and smiled at at various points in the voyage but never spoken to until that moment.
Alice also accepted a lifebelt from a man who may have been Alfred Vanderbilt, even though at the time she had no idea who was assisting her. He helped her put the lifebelt on, but before he could finish securing it, they were both washed off the deck.
Underwater, Alice had her head stuck in an open porthole. The pressure hurt her ears so much she was not sure how she could endure the pain, much less survive the sinking. She did not know how she managed to come back to the surface, but reaching the open air was no relief. All around her were dead bodies, several of them children. To her, they looked like “drowned dolls.”
Next to her, Alice looked on with horror as a woman gave birth in the water, who may have been Marguerita Kay. The scene made her feel sick, and unable to do anything for the woman, Alice soon lost consciousness.
“Marvel”
When she was pulled out of the water, Alice was mistaken for dead. She regained consciousness at a Queenstown nursing home. Doctors thought her recovery from her coma so miraculous that they dubbed her “Marvel.” The stress and shock of the disaster had caused her hair to fall out and she was not able to leave the hospital for some days. Nevertheless, as of 9 May she was listed as “out of danger; progressing favorably.”
In a 1915 letter, Alice mentions that her brother was lost at sea during the time she was aboard the Lusitania (although she spares in details at to which ship he was lost off) and their mother was notified of his loss on the morning of 7 May, then of her loss that evening. Due to Alice’s semi-coma it was not until Sunday that her mother was informed that she had, in fact, survived.
Post-Lusitania
Alice spent a few years of post-Lusitania recovery in Birkenhead, England. She also designed bobby capes and was awarded the Freedom of London. In 1917, she married George McDougall of Detroit and moved to the United States with him. Alice worked as a seamstress and had two children, Hector and Jacqueline. Jacqueline died at the age of 13.
Alice Middleton in her later years, here pictured with Dr. John D. Craig. Click on image for full size. image credit: Nanette McDougall LaChance.
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Later life
Alice would not know that her savior was possibly Alfred Vanderbilt until the 1930s. Former Lusitania steward Robert Chisholm met her years later during the early days of salvage operation of which he was part and mentioned the story of Vanderbilt giving away his lifebelt. He showed her a picture of Vanderbilt and she was convinced it was him.
Living out the rest of her life in the United States, Alice died on 8 September 1964 in Livonia, Michigan.
Media portrayal
Alice Middleton is a major character in David Butler’s 1983 novel Lusitania. Unlike in actual history, the novel establishes Alice as having a shipboard romance with Vanderbilt, which leads up to his final gesture of saving her life.
Contributors:
Jim Kalafus
Nanette McDougall LaChance (granddaughter of Alice Middleton)
Michael Poirier
Judith Tavares
References:
Butler, David. Lusitania. Ballantine Books, 1983.
Hickey, Des and Gus Smith. Seven Days to Disaster. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981.
Hoehling, A. A. and Mary Hoehling. The Last Voyage of the Lusitania. Madison Books, 1956.
Alice Middleton was my great grandmother. Thank you for sharing the story of her life here.
The action of Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt to Miss Alice Middleton brings to mind the words of Our Lord to the Apostles at the Last Supper “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Alice Middleton was my paternal grandmother; Alia, my daughter. Alice was on the tv show “This is Your Life” in May, 1956. Still have the original 16mm film. She never took her gift of life for granted and taught her descendants the same.
My mother Gertrude Brocklebank was Alice’s neice and was the surprise guest on that show, being flown out from Birkenhead, England. I believe my mothers father (Alice’s brother) died in America in the early 30’s and is buried in Seattle but I have no idea where or how to find out.
Hi Paul, this is your cousin Pam. Yes I remember my grandma saying that your dad is buried in Seattle, and a couple of Adventures that they took together. It is so good to connect with you. I’ve been looking for you under the wrong name. I am on Facebook under Pam Autrey or you can contact me at pamautrey@hotmail.com
Best regards
Hi Pam,
Thank you for your message. And although I was only little I do remember photos of you with my mum when she was in America. I think you must have been about 6 or seven?
I have invited you to join me as a friend on facebook and look forwadr to talking to you at length. I hope you and your family are well.
I change my name by the way back in 1979 when I was acting in the West End. Although it was never changed officially it is the name I have used ever since. Although my Passports are still in the name of Brocklebank.
My email address is pbaden54@gmail.com
Best wishes
Paul
You have a very special Grandmother Alice Middleton, I saw Alice on This Is My Life the year I was born.
Alice is a very special a full of love the good Lord has Alice in Heaven.
Someday her family will be reunited with her.
Thank you for sharing Alice’s storie.
I remember your mom, Auntie Gertie, putting a lampshade on her head and going down the hall at the Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood then! We also took her for her 1st hamburger in Detroit that trip. She ate it with a knife and fork. What I’ve heard about you is that you are/were an actor and restauranteer. Was your grandfather’s name Jack? I don’t live far from Seattle. After I finish a play I am doing (about five more weeks), I’ll try to find out some information for you. So nice to hear from you. I think my sister, Pam, met Colin. Positively, Jackie
Hi Jackie,
How great to hear from you. What prompted the post was a documentary about filming the wreck of the Lusitania and establishing a torpedo hit and the fact that the ship was carrying crates of live ammunition – which I watched on Sunday night.
I remember the stories my mum used to tell about her time in Hollywood and I also remember seeing photos of you and Pam as young girls then.
Thank you for adding a couple of stories I did not know about!
I have lived in Melbourne Australia for the last 27 years and my brother Colin lives with his family in North Wales UK
Colin and his wife Gwyn are currently on a two week holiday in New York and Las Vegas.
I know he will be very excited that we have connected and I know we would love to find out more about you guys and also our grandfather.
I cannot recall what his first name was, however i do remember my mum saying that he is buried in Seattle somewhere – if true or not I am not sure.
Yes I was an actor in London prior to coming to Australia and last year sold my hospitality business and currently taking time out to renovate an old house that i have moved into with my 19 year old son, Matt.
I used my family name as Brocklebank, however I changed my surname to Baden in the late 70’s when I was acting in London so that is the surname I have use ever since ( in saying that My passport are still Brocklebank)
What is the play you are doing?
I look forward to more communication when you have finished it and have the time.
Fondet regards
Paul
Just to let you know, there is a you-tube “This Is Your Life” episode where you can see your mom!
Alice Middleton McDougall. The play I’m in is a cute comedy called “Seniors of the Sahara”. I play Fannie andat 69 have to belly dance! Just putting myself in a zone and doing it. 🙂 Jackie
Paul, I found some great information about your mum and William. Please send me your address so I can get this in the mail to you. facebook is Jackie McDougall Weiner