[Photo submitted by Ray Skinner from the "The Cyclopedia of Fiji"]

I have found with interest your home page regarding the above.  My husband is the grandnephew of Mrs Marion MARKS, wife of Mr J Gabriel MARKS who were passengers on the Empress when it sank.  Unfortunately they did not  survive.

Both Mr and Mrs Marks were born in Melbourne, Australia.  In 1906 Mr MARKS married Marion ALEXANDER, the second daughter of the late Mr George ALEXANDER, of Richmond, Victoria and were prominent residents of Fiji at the time of their deaths.  Mr Marks was the first Mayor of Suva, Fiji.

Other information obtained from a newspaper article in the "Fiji Times" - 30 May 1914 -

"Amongst the well-known people who were lost were Mr Henry SETON KERR, Mr Lawrence IRVING (son of the late Sir Henry IRVING), and Mrs IRVING.  A delegation of 130 Salvationists, on their way to London to attend a conference, also went down with the ship."

[Following Text submitted by Judith Wimborne]

At the time of his death Gabriel Jacob Marks was 43 years old and Marion Marks (nee Alexander) was 40. Gabriel’s Will described him as a "Merchant". He was a philanthropist and obviously well known and liked in Suva as there is a street in Suva, Fiji, named for him and a Rotund/bandstand/clocktower in the park in Suva erected in his honour. My mother was one of his 29 nephews and nieces, all of whom benefited from his will.

From the CPR Passenger Listing

Cabin:                    First Class Name:                    MARKS, Mr. J. Gabriel (P.J.?) Ticket Purchased at: Suva, Figi Destination:  Remarks:                Lost   Body Identified

Cabin:                            First Class Name:                            MARKS, Mrs. Ticket Purchased at:         Suva, Figi Destination:  Remarks:                       Lost   Body Identified