Neglected Grave of Titanic Officer’s Wife Restored in New Zealand

A neglected grave belonging to Ada Florence Murdoch, the wife of Titanic’s first officer William McMaster Murdoch, has been restored in Christchurch, New Zealand. This restoration project highlights the connection between Ada and the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912, claiming more than 1,500 lives. The grave restoration was organized by the New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA), a group devoted to preserving neglected graves and memorials of military personnel.

The NZRA was informed of the grave’s historical importance by Dr. Andrew Macdonald, the London-based official historian for the New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association. Simon Strombom, a retired New Zealand Army major and decorated Afghanistan veteran, leads the NZRA. He emphasized the significance of Ada Murdoch’s story, stating, “Our charity obviously focuses on restoring service graves, but this story was just so exceptional, we felt we needed to do the right thing by her and recognise (Murdoch’s) service by putting her grave back together.”

Ada was born in Christchurch in 1873 and grew up in a politically progressive family. She and her family were active supporters of women’s suffrage, signing a petition in 1892. She met William Murdoch in 1903 aboard the White Star liner Runic, where they began a long-distance correspondence. They married in 1907 in Southampton, England, after Ada moved back to the UK for work.

In April 1912, just days before the Titanic’s maiden voyage commenced on April 10, Ada visited her husband, marveling at the ship’s grandeur. Although William was initially appointed chief officer, he was demoted to first officer following a last-minute change in command. He was in charge on the night of the disaster, which began when the Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM on April 14.

Strombom noted that Murdoch’s role during the disaster was shrouded in controversy. “Someone did fire a pistol in the air, but that has never been attributed to him.” As chaos ensued and passengers were loaded into lifeboats, Murdoch was swept into the water during the ship’s sinking and his body was never recovered. He is credited with overseeing the launch of approximately 10 lifeboats, saving many lives in the process.

Survivors, including second officer Charles Herbert Lightoller, later expressed their condolences to Ada. Lightoller and other surviving officers wrote to her, stating, “Mr. Murdoch died like a man, doing his duty.” The letter also aimed to counter conflicting reports circulated in the media, some of which suggested a suicide or an officer’s misconduct during the evacuation.

The portrayal of Murdoch in James Cameron‘s 1997 film caused significant distress for his family. Following backlash from the public in his hometown of Dalbeattie, Scotland, film executives visited the town in 1998 to apologize for the depiction.

Ada Murdoch relocated to New Zealand in 1917, choosing to live a quiet life with her family. She never remarried and passed away on April 21, 1941, at the age of 65. She was buried in the Banks family plot at Linwood Cemetery in Christchurch.

As part of their restoration efforts, the NZRA strives to connect with relatives of those buried in neglected graves. However, Strombom noted they had little success in finding any remaining family connections for Ada Murdoch. Despite her quiet life, the enduring connection to the Titanic ensures her story remains an important part of maritime history. The restoration serves as a poignant reminder of her unique legacy and the personal impact of one of history’s most notorious maritime disasters.