Titanic locker key expected to fetch thousands at auction in Wiltshire

A tiny locker key salvaged from a victim of the Titanic is one of a number of items from the ship to go on auction in Wiltshire this afternoon.

The key - which belonged to a Third Class Steward on the vessel and was used to retrieve lifejackets from a locker during the disaster - is expected to fetch as much as £50,000.

It's one of many Titanic artefacts being auctioned off today in the Titanic and Icons of the 20th Century lot.

The key - described as 'exceptionally rare' by auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son - is made of brass and stamped with the tag 'Locker F Deck 14'.

It was in the possession of steward Sidney Sedunary as the Titanic sank. He was one of the 1500 people who lost their lives in the disaster.

Sidney frantically tried to save lives as the ship sank, heroically staying on the F Deck as it flooded - according to evidence given to the British Inquiry into the disaster by another steward - John Hart:

The key was returned to Sidney's then pregnant wife Madge (his son was born later that year and given the same name) after the disaster in April 1912.

Sidney's son then passed on the key to a family member visiting from Australia in 1981 together with some copper coins that were also found alongside it.

The key is estimated to sell for £30000-£50000.