Editor:
I’m sure there are many stories about the sinking of the Titanic from PAN readers.
Here is one about my father-in-law, who saved his family from certain death by having a haircut.
Don Holland, his brother, their parents and a cousin were immigrating from Birmingham to Canada.
Don was three years old and had long curly hair and dressed in a sailor’s suit for his pre-immigration picture before proceeding to Canada.
Don’s father came home one night and, after viewing Don with his curls, decided no son of his was going to immigrate dressed as a sissy.
He cut Don’s hair, but a few days later when the family went for their pre-immigration inspection, the Canadian official wouldn’t accept Don’s photo with the long curly hair and demanded a new photograph. By the time Don had his picture retaken, it was too late to board their original ship – the RMS Titanic.
No doubt the Holland family would have been in steerage class and would have gone down with the ship – but due to a haircut, the Holland family did make a successful crossing and a good life in Canada.
When Don died 10 years ago, he had only fringe around his head.
Bill Cameron, White Rock