McGregor, J (James)

McGregor, J (James)

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Private James McGregor was the son of Eliza McGregor, of 21 Irish Green Street., Limavady, Co. Londonderry, and the late W. McGregor. He was a shoemaker and for this reason was assigned to work within his skill set in the army.

James joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on the 15th of November 1915. During 1917 he transferred to the Labour Corps. All his service was within the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, he died from pneumonia after suffering from the flu while at home on draft leave.

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 James served with the 668th 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 top condition needed for front line service or had skills needed by the army. Many were returned wounded or older soldiers.

Date of Death: 02/11/1918 (Aged 28)

Service: Private, 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, transferred to 668th Labour Corps and then to the 300th Reserve Company Labour Corps.

Service Number: 27779 and 489872

Burial Location: Middle of Cemetery, Roe Mill (Saint Canice’s) Roman Catholic Burial Ground


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

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