Meet the men behind the legend of RMS Titanic — the Guarantee Group. Out of nearly 15,000 Harland and Wolff workers who helped build Titanic and her sister ship Olympic between 1909 and 1911, just nine were specially chosen for their skill, dedication, and craftsmanship. Handpicked by Titanic’s designer, Thomas Andrews, these men were given free passage aboard the Titanic’s maiden voyage as her official Guarantee Group — a final test and seal of approval for their ship.
⚙️ The Guarantee Group:
William Henry Campbell (21)
Roderick Robert Crispin Chisholm (40)
Alfred Fleming Cunningham (22)
Antony Wood Frost (38)
Robert J. Knight (42)
Francis Parkes (21)
William Henry Marsh Parr (29)
Ennis Hastings Watson (18)
Thomas Millar (33)
Life in the Harland and Wolff shipyard was far from easy. Workers faced dangerous heights on the massive Arrol Gantry, drilling millions of rivets into Titanic’s steel hull. Between 1909 and 1911, dozens of injuries and several fatalities occurred, including 15-year-old Samuel J. Scott — the youngest recorded death during Titanic’s construction.
Each member of the Guarantee Group had a unique story:
Ennis Hastings Watson, just 18, was an apprentice electrician.
Alfred “Alfie” Cunningham, a fitter, helped plate Titanic’s steel.
Thomas Millar, an engineer and widowed father, planned to start a new life in New York.
Roderick Chisholm, a draughtsman, brought two decades of design experience.
Francis Parkes, a plumber from a family of shipbuilders, ensured the ship’s systems ran smoothly.
William Parr, an electrician, oversaw the fitting of Titanic’s modern electric lighting.
Robert Knight, a dedicated fitter, rose through tragedy to master his trade.
Henry Campbell, a joiner known for his bright and capable nature.
There are nine plaques across the city:
North Belfast Leading hand Fitter, Robert Knight – Yarrow Street; Apprentice Joiner, William Campbell – Earl Street; Apprentice Fitter, Alfred Flemming Cunningham – Spamount Street.
East Belfast Chief Draughtsman, Roderick Chisholm – Sandford Street; Foreman Fitter, Anthony Wood Frost – Sunbury Avenue; Apprentice Electrician, Ennis H Watson – Madrid Street.
South Belfast Managing Director, Thomas Andrews – Windsor Avenue; Assistant Manager, Electrical Department, William H M Parr – Elaine Street; Apprentice Plumber, Francis Parkes – Agincourt Avenue.
Antony Frost, a foreman who helped manage the massive workforce.
Tragically, all nine men were lost when Titanic sank between April 14–15, 1912. None of their bodies were ever recovered. Today, their legacy lives on in memorials at Belfast City Hall, Titanic Belfast, and the Titanic Engineers’ Memorial in Southampton, England.
🕯️ In memory of Titanic’s Guarantee Group — the builders who went down with their ship.
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There are nine plaques across the city:
North Belfast Leading hand Fitter, Robert Knight – Yarrow Street; Apprentice Joiner, William Campbell – Earl Street; Apprentice Fitter, Alfred Flemming Cunningham – Spamount Street.
East Belfast Chief Draughtsman, Roderick Chisholm – Sandford Street; Foreman Fitter, Anthony Wood Frost – Sunbury Avenue; Apprentice Electrician, Ennis H Watson – Madrid Street.
South Belfast Managing Director, Thomas Andrews – Windsor Avenue; Assistant Manager, Electrical Department, William H M Parr – Elaine Street; Apprentice Plumber, Francis Parkes – Agincourt Avenue.