Annie Meek was born in Ireland in 1895. Her parents were William and Mary Meek. Her father died when she was 10 years old, right after her sister Jenny was born. Her other sister, Kathryn was 2 years younger than her. Annie grew up as a poor little girl. After her father died, her mother was forced to work in the factories which left Annie at home to care for her sisters. In 1910, Annie's mother fell ill and she had to work in the factories to support her family. In 1911, her mother suddenly died, leaving Annie to do everything. She hated her life and she wanted it to be like a fairytale. She had one book that she read over and over again. It was about a girl who escapes from her pain on a ship with the love of her life. Outside of Annie's makeshift attic bedroom, there was a harbor. There were many ships that she wished would take her away from the pain she suffered. She hated the factories too. She saw too many things that shouldn't be mentioned. During her time working while her mother was still alive, a man named John Davies had come to her house selling things. She instantly fell in love with him. His younger brother, Joseph, and older brother, Alfred, were along. Joseph instantly fell in love with Annie. John came back several times more to help Annie with her home. John was a truly kind man.
After Annie's mother died, John wrote Annie more often. They stayed in touch. In September of 1911, John asked Annie to marry him. He wanted to save her from this life he had seen her despise so much. His uncle, James Lester, had bought John and his brothers tickets aboard Titanic. The entire Davies family would catch up later. Annie quickly agreed. Annie was to go on the 8th of April. She waited to tell her sisters until the very day she left. Her sister Kathryn was very upset. She argued that she would have to work in the factories now and that that wasn't fair because she was only 15. "Kathryn, I was 10 when dad died. I have taken care of you nearly half your life. I was in the factories at 15 too. It's my life now. You can't stop me. I'm going." And Annie Left.
Annie took a train to the Davies home in West Bromwich, England. She enjoyed the train ride since she had never been on one. When she arrived at John's home, she was greeted with warmth from his family. That night, John came to talk to Annie. Annie was reading her favorite book about a girl who escaped from her life she hated and lived happily ever after. "Annie, I want you to know. I will give you anything you need. When we reach America, I'm going to give you the wedding you've always hoped for." Annie was completely overwhelmed at this wonderful man's promise.
On the 8th, Alfred got married. He was unable to take his wife with him so she went to stay at her mothers until Alfred called for her when he reached America. The 10th came and they went to Southampton. When they arrived at the docks, Annie was very suprised. "This is the ship you're taking me to America in? This is the ship? Oh it's better than I had ever dreamed, thank you, John! Thank you!"
So they all boarded Titanic in third class. Their room was somewhere on E deck. They had a nice time. Joseph, who had loved Annie from the start, talked to her on the 13th. He asked her if she would get off of Titanic with him when they reached America and run away together. "No," Annie refused. "I love John. John is the love of my life. I cannot betray that. I love him too." Joseph felt terribly betrayed that the woman he loved didn't reciprocate the feeling. For the rest of the voyage, he stayed to himself and gave Annie evil looks.
John and Annie had taken many late night walks up on deck. On April 14th though, Annie asked John one last time if he would come and walk with her. "Not tonight, dear. I kind of wanted to catch up on my reading." So Annie went on deck alone. She stayed leaning over the railing looking at the stars. At 11:40 pm, when Titanic hit the iceberg, she had no idea she was in danger. She saw the berg, but thought the ship had merely come close. She stayed up on deck and talked with other passengers. She had faith in this first class ship and truly believed it was unsinkable.
Annie realized that John was downstairs. He was very interested in physics and she was sure he could figure out what happened. She said goodnight and went down below deck to find him. She came down the stairs and found a gate pulled across the hall. And right behind it was John. They attempted many times to open it, but it was no use. John told Annie to save herself and get to a boat. But John was the love of her life and she refused. The 2 of them died that night, having drowned- together.
