Private John Dinsmore

Private John Dinsmore

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Private John Dinsmore was the son of James Dinsmore of Englishtown Townland, Co. Londonderry.

John died from the effects of pneumonia in the Central Hospital in Blackpool. He was serving with the 566th Company Labour Corps.

It is also possible that he may have died from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic[1].

The Spanish flu is rather deceiving as it did not originate in Spain, but rather it was first openly reported on in Spain due to its neutrality in the war.

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 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 Counties Cemeteries who possibly died of the illness, most of whom were diagnosed with meningitis, flu, or pneumonia. It especially affected young adults.

Although John served with the 566th Company of the Labour Corps, it is uncertain when and where, as very few records survive for them.  The Corps were manned by officers and other ranks who had been medically rated below the “A1” condition needed for front line service or had skills needed by the army. Many were returned wounded or older soldiers. They did though perform many of their tasks on the front line, under fire.

Private John Dinsmore was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Date of Death: 29/10/1918

Service: Private, 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and then transferred to 566th Company Labour Corps

Service Number: 12/26370 and 595456

Burial Location: East of Church.


[1] Spanish Flu: 50 to 100,000,000 deaths

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