ABERYSTWYTH & 1918/19 SPANISH FLU
* A thread *

I've been for my daily allocated walk, so what better way of easing some boredom than documenting the outbreak of the 1918/9 Spanish Influenza in the #Aberystwyth area, as told by the Cambrian News at the time.

Diolch enfawr i'r wefan Papurau Newydd Cymru y LlGC am leddfu'r diflastod rhywfaint // Thanks to the NLW's terrific resource for easing the boredom:

https://papuraunewydd.llyfrgell.cymru/home 

(The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard 1918/9)

Despite starting in early 1918, due to the ongoing WWI efforts, the spread of the influenza was highly censored by the British media/Entente Powers (unlike Spain - thus the name ) - and the first real detailed account wasn't featured in the CN until 1/11/18.

However, despite the radio (newspaper) silence and censorship – CN articles from autumn 1918 do show a slow trickle of reports regarding servicemen dying from influenza-like symptoms (18/10/18)

The CN's 25/10/18 - gives a further example, documenting the passing of nurse Ella Richards of Lampeter, from pneumonia (potential complication of the influenza) whilst serving at Salonika on the Macedonian front.

In the CN's 01/11/18 edition (10 days before Armistice) a specific article – ‘THE INFLUENZA’ was included - documenting the decision to close schools, postponing events, and Aberystwyth Council's decision to cancel all events in the borough.

Despite the decision to postpone events, many continued – including the Harvest Thanksgiving at Methodist Chapels in town. The Congregationalists weren’t as brave – and opted to cancel theirs.

The 01/11/18 edition also included a details account by Aberystwyth medical officer, Dr Harries, on the best way of avoiding/treating the influenza (including the crucial role of hot lemon water! ) - and an interesting account of a worrying situation in nearby Lampeter...

Whilst this was a beginning of reporting of the influenza by journalists in the CN, it seems advertisers were one step ahead (aren’t they always?) – including Jeyes disinfectant, and Baird’s underclothing (!), Porthmadog – no mention as of yet of toilet paper. (tbc...)

By the 8/11/18 edition of the CN, more measures had been pursued with the hope of combating the spread of the influenza – closing the school in nearby village of Borth (also, spare a thought for Capt. & Mrs Davies!). Schools in Aberystwyth would also remain closed for a week.

With Armistice now only 3 days away, there were still reports of local soldiers in France dying from the influenza – including Lance-Corpl E.D Rowlands – who’d been in the army since 1914.

However, by this point (8/11/18); it was clear the influenza was becoming more and more of a problem in the Aberystwyth area – with several deaths documented many, such as Mrs Annie Williams at quite a young age.

There seems to have been a worrying situation at the town’s Alexandra Halls ‘hostel’ (student accom?) where the influenza had killed 3 people. Sad notice was also given of the passing of postman Arthur Lane of pneumonia (Spanish Flu?) – his son had died 5 days prior.

Further down the county, as documented in last week’s edition, influenza was continuing to run amok in Lampeter – with more deaths this week, including 13-year-old Johnny Davies.

Interestingly, it wasn’t only the influenza causing chaos in Ceredigion – with also an outbreak of scarlet fever in the north of county at Tre’r Ddol, Tal-y-bont, etc.

With the death-count increasing, greater measures were being taken locally to tackle the influenza. The Calvinistic Methodists postponed their meetings (things must’ve been bad!) and the local Red Cross Hospital also issued a lockdown.

However, despite last week’s lockdown, the town’s cinema reopened on 8/11/18 (thoroughly disinfected, so worry not!), and would celebrate the (limited) reopening with a showing of the blockbuster, ‘Her Country’s call’.

The College was also set to reopen.

In the ‘Golofn Gymraeg’ (Welsh column) we get some insight into the wider problem Spanish Flu was causing across the UK – noting 5,000 had now died of the illness in the last week alone. (tbc….)

By the next edition (15/11/18) – peace had dawned on Europe; with CN columns filled with joy, relief and reflection. Lampeter Council decided to celebrate by sending a congratulatory telegraph to PM, Lloyd George ; and letters to President Wilson and Clemenceau (!).

Not to be outdone; Tregaron went one step further – forming an effigy of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and seemingly burning it in on massive bonfire (!) .

The CN also included a huge section dedicated to the signing of the Armistice, and the German terms of surrender.

War matters aside, the discussion in Lampeter town council soon returned to the continued threat of the influenza; calling for greater disinfectant supplies at the local watering cart, as well as the Lampeter Workhouse.

However, it would seem the joy of peace overruled many of the measures pursued a fortnight prior to address the influenza (school closures, etc) – with many gatherings and celebrations across Aberystwyth area – “it was an occasion for noise after years of sad silence”

Celebrations aside; cases of influenza continued to trickle in; a notable casualty being that of Rev D.A. Thomas, who was unable to lead the Sunday service at Llanafan, and the passing of Miss Williams, Rhydyfelin.

Interestingly, the most detailed account of the influenza is found once again in the ‘Colofn Gymraeg’ – identifying Caernarfon as one of the worst hit areas in Wales, and also noting the more had died of the flu (2,500 in London alone) than the war over the past week.

The article concludes:

“Fortunately it would seem its () influence is not as bad now as a fortnight ago; with promising signs of improvement in the majority of areas."

.... (tbc).

By the 25/11/18, the CN news again reported the influenza continued to cause significant difficulties in the Lampeter – albeit with no recent deaths. Similarly, concerning accounts of outbreaks were had along the coast from New Quay and Llanon.

A special meeting of the ‘Tregaron Guardians’ was held that week to discuss the severity of the influenza in the area; drawing particular attention to the situation in Llanddewi Brefi– where whole households had fallen ill with the . Several further deaths were noted locally.

Up in Aberystwyth, the epidemic supposedly showed “no abatement” – with many families and businesses impacted. However, in a conflicting account, many of the religious services previously postponed resumed and evening classes re-opened.

Whilst the influenza remained prevalent on the ‘home front’ in Ceredigion; accounts were also given of former soldiers passing away from influenza-caused complications; including that of former CN employee, Evan T Hughes in Palestine who died of pneumonia. (tbc...)

The 29/11/18 edition, features a sizeable article dedicated to the influenza in Aberystywth; with many cases still prevalent. There’s talk of again having to close the cinema and Sunday Schools.

County Schools would remain shut until 6/01/19.

Amongst the recent high-profile casualties in Aberystwyth is Mr T R Jones of Aberystwyth - a respected businessman who died as a result of the influenza, aged only 33. A sizeable article is dedicated to him in the edition.

The edition also documents the passing of Mr W Griffiths, 65, who died suddenly of the influenza in London whilst travelling with his wife to see their injured son in .

He’d previously worked for Cecil Rhodes in Africa!

Two particularly young casualties of influenza were noted in the Aberystwyth area; Mr Lindsey Davies (22) – “a confirmed invalid” – and Miss Nellie Evans (25) of Llanilar.

Obituaries were also featured for family members of Aberystwyth residents that had perished from the influenza in London.

With injured servicemen now being returned from to hospitals in south England, further deaths of were noted - such as Mr T Williams, Llandre.

Among one of the more bizarre stories is the of a spate of shop robberies in town.

The perpetrator – a Mr R.A. Martin – had been lodging with Mrs Owen Jones, and had been using ‘influenza’ – and the need to access fresh air -as an alibi for his frequent trips out the house!

By this point, influenza was a feature in most Ceredigion villages.

In Llanon there was “no sign of the epidemic abating”, whilst in Henllan, Doctor, T Jenkins had fallen very ill with the influenza; to the cause of great concern.

There were many burials locally due to .

Talk of the influenza again features in the ‘Golofn Gymraeg’ – noting that there are since 2,000 cases in Carmarthen (unclear if town or county).

It is also noted that over recent weeks, a number of Welsh soldiers had died from the influenza in .

(tbc...).