As the senior surviving member of the Titanic crew Lightoller came under intense scrutiny after the disaster. His autobiography "Titanic and Other Ships" (1935) reads like an adventure story but his credibility as a witness has come into question. He has even openly admitted to taking a part in the White Star Line cover up.

After Titanic he served in the Royal Navy during World War I and then piloted his motor yacht Sundowner to evacuate multiple soldiers during the Dunkirk operations.