Wallace Hartley was born and raised in Colne, Lancashire, England. Harley's father, Albion Hartley, was the choirmaster and Sunday school superintendent at Bethel Independent Methodist Chapel, where the family attended worship services. Hartley himself introduced the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” to the congregation. Wallace studied at Colne’s Methodist day school, sang in Bethel’s choir and learned violin from a fellow congregation member. He also had the cabin number: E. He was in the 2nd class and as the Head Bandmaster of the Titanic he did not have to pay for his ticket.