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Private James Wylie was the son of Robert and Lizzie Wylie, of Killynumber, Lobermore, Londonderry. He was in training with the 3rd Battalion Royal Inniskillings when he became extremely ill and was taken to the Omagh Fever Hospital. He was suffering from Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis.[1] He passed away within a few days.

It is more than likely that he may have died from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.

The Spanish flu is rather deceiving as it did not originate in Spain, but rather it was the first country to openly report on the pandemic due to its neutrality in the war. Therefore, it received its name.

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

Date of Death: 13/12/1918 (Aged 18)

Service: Private, 3rd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Service Number: 31924

Burial Location: South of church. Dromore (St. Comgall) Church of Ireland Churchyard


[1] Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis is a form of Meningitis that can suddenly break out with flu like symptoms. Symptoms like fever and sceptic shock are not uncommon when someone becomes ill with this infection.

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