AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING FLU PANDEMIC “Died of Disease”
Royal Navy, WW1 Trio
1914-15 Star Trio and Memorial Plaque
To: K-6939. W. BILBE STO.1. R.N. (Chatham)
DIED OF DISEASE, 16th February 1919.
(Died during the Post War Spanish Flu Epidemic).
Memorial Scroll (on card base)To: Actg. Lg. Sto. William Bilbe. H.M.S. Velox.
Memorial Plaque to: WILLIAM BILBE.
After some research we have found that several members of the crew of HMS Velox were taken seriously ill and sent home or to hospital. We are not sure where HMS Velox was harboured during this period but it is fairly clear that the ship was hit badly by the flu pandemic (Pneumonic Influenza). which was sweeping the globe at this time. Another Velox crewman P/O Donald ‘Don Scott’ aged 25, also died the very next day (15th Feb 1919) in Invergordon Naval Hospital. Further research should show how badly this particular ship was effected.
£375.00