On May 25, 1914, three days before leaving on the Empress, Bernard writes to his
brother Thomas Tumilty in Victoria saying "I may go out to Vancouver as the steam
boating is better out here than at home (England) as you are under Navy discipline in the
boats out of Lpool (Liverpool) all work & no liberty.... Dear Brother I am in the
Empress of Ireland but I am only on for one trip as she is no good & the talent is
worse, all from Scotland Rd. you know."
This was to be Bernard's only voyage on the Empress Of Ireland as he wrote this
letter. Little did he know that this would be his last voyage and letter to his
brothers in Vancouver.
On June 3, 1914, a telegram from the CPR informed Thomas Tumilty that his brother was
not among the survivors: "Your wire late sorry to inform you Tumilty not among
saved."
You can see a copy of Bernard's original letter and the telegram sent to his brother
from CPR at a web site constructed by
Tom Tumilty. The
letter and telegram is posted there in memory of Bernard Tumilty in hopes someone will
read it on the Internet and be able to follow through with their family tree and connect
it to Tom George Tumilty . Can you help? Thank you.
