Boylan, JJ (John Joseph)

Private John Boylan was the son of W. Boylan, J.P., of Garvagh, Co. Londonderry. He unfortunately died from pneumonia in Scotland. It is possible that he may have died from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic (as pneumonia was a common misdiagnosis for this illness).

The Spanish flu is rather deceiving as it did not originate in that country of its namesake. Spain though was the first country to openly report on the pandemic due to its neutrality in the war. Therefore, the illness received its name by this association.

The outbreak began around January 1918 and ended at the end of 1920. There were three major outbreaks, each deadlier than the previous. Great efforts were made to suppress the news, but so many people were affected that it became pointless as the flu crept through the armies and into the villages, towns, and cities of Europe. There were no vaccines to protect against this flu virus or the infections, no antiviral drugs to treat it, and no antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia. The only tools that authorities could implement was the promotion of good personal hygiene, isolation, and quarantine of the ill, along with the closures of public places.

There are several servicemen in the county’s cemeteries who possibly died of the illness, most of whom were diagnosed with meningitis, flu, or pneumonia. It especially affected young adults.

A few months prior to his death, John was awarded the Military Medal for bravery while serving with the 10th Battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. It was reported in the London Gazette during the 19^th of March 1918.

John was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medals along with the Military Medal for gallantry. Unfortunately, they were all returned by his family.

Date of Death: 01/07/1918 (Aged 28)

Service: Private 10th and 5th Battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Service Number: 326016

Burial Location: Ballerin Roman Catholic Churchyard between gate and left end of Church.