A telegram dated July 19, 1912 found in the diary of Hartleys grieving fiancée, Maria Robinson, to the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia. It reads: I would be most grateful if you could convey my heartfelt thanks to all who have made possible the return of my late fiances violin. She had requested its return because of the emotional connection with him. Hartleys personal effects including his silver cigarette case and a gold signet ring were returned to his his father, Albion Hartley. Mr Hartley Snr later gave these items to Miss Robinson, who never married. She kept the jewellery and violin in the leather case as a shrine to her late fiance. She died from stomach cancer in 1939 aged 59 at her home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. In dealing with her estate, her sister, Margaret, found Hartleys leather valise that had his initials of WHH on and the violin inside. Photo (R) A locket belonging to Maria Robinson containing a picture of her fiancé #Titanic #Violin
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 06:00:00 +0000