Name/Title
1918 - Influenza Pandemic / Camp RSM William Wallis, DCM - Camp Frensham Pond Surry, UKDescription
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
Over 100 years ago during the Influenza Pandemic, A Canadian Grenadier Guard was part of the leadership team dealing with Canada's response. WOII William Wallis, DCM was Camp RSM of Frensham Pond, the major intake recruiting and instruction Camp in the UK where all CEF new troops were required to quarantine for 28 days upon arrival from Canada in 1918.
16% of all Canadian troops became infected // 3% Died of the influenza Pandemic
How bad was the first Influenza? The official history of the Canadian Medical Services reported that the CEF experienced 776 deaths out of 45,960 influenza cases overall. Historians now regard these numbers as low estimates, of both cases and deaths. To provide context for the size of the CEF in 1918, it had overseas 130,000 recruits, instructors, wounded, medical staff and administrators stationed in England. Another 105,000 men served in the Canadian Corps, with a further 47,000 men and women serving outside the corps in France and Belgium.
The military was forced to place all major training camps under quarantine, closing the facility’s cinemas, bars, churches and other meeting places to prevent its spread. This greatly limited the recreational opportunities for the troops and meant dull nights confined to barracks. As a further precaution, the medical authorities ordered that the men were not to be worked so hard that they sweated while they trained. However, the limitations on training had little effectCreated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
December 30, 2021Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 28, 2025