True and Fascinating Canadian History
The 1918 Spanish Pandemic & Its NWMP Victims
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
History has recorded that until 1918 Canada had never experienced a health crisis such as the H1N1 virus which appeared on its doorstep as World War I was ending. Its precise origin remains unknown but it is estimated that the Spanish Flu was responsible for about 50,000 deaths among Canadians. According to the on-line Canadian Encyclopedia, the Spanish Flu differed from the present day pandemic because it attacked the young, strong and hearty (p.1). The North West Mounted Police (NWMP) fell into this particular high risk category, and many of its men were vulnerable and some were victims. This short piece is dedicated to the memory of the NWMP and especially those who died due to the Spanish Flu.
Reg.#2801, Constable William Henry McDougall joined the NWMP in 1892. After Basic Recruit Training in Regina he went on to serve at Fort Macleod, AB. McDougal grew restless after serving for five years so he decided to part ways with the NWMP. By day he farmed in the Granum, Alberta area and to earn extra income he turned to his professional art of tinsmithing. William McDougal was one of the first causalities of the flu. Although his exact age is not known, he was likely in his mid 30's when he died in January, 1918. William McDougall was buried in Calgary's Union Cemetery.
It seems that Cyril John Fanthorpe was fatherless, and the only son of Mrs. Susan Fanthorpe of Winnipeg, MB. He was eager to sign up for WWI and to fight on behalf of Canada. Reg.#7430, Constable Fanthorpe joined the NWMP on May 9th, 1918. He was assigned C. E. F. #2147434 and shortly afterwards he fell sick as a result of the Spanish Flu. He died while serving with the NWMP barely one month later at the age of 18. Cyril John Fanthorpe was buried at 'Depot' Division.
Reg.#4091, Robert John 'Paddy' White led an eventful police career but he too was affected by the influenza. He joined the NWMP in November, 1903, and after Basic Recruit Training, he was selected to remain in Saskatchewan.
One day in 1916, two prisoners overpowered and beat a NWMP constable and left him unconscious. The suspects stole the constable's revolver and his boots and made their escape from the jail in Moose Jaw. Sergeant White formed a posse with Reg.#5174, Constable Harry Morren and Constable Osmand of the Moose Jaw City Police. Eventually, the two fugitives were cornered, but they began shooting at the posse. Sergeant White's rifle jammed but despite being fired upon, he was able to clear his rifle. He shot and killed one of the escapees, and the second one surrendered.
It was only a year or two afterwards that Sergeant White contracted the Spanish Flu. At the time, his wife was pregnant, but Sgt. White died one hour before his wife gave birth to their son. It was November 10, 1918. Sgt. White was buried in Arcola, SK. After her death, Mrs. White was laid to rest beside her husband.
Alexander 'Alex' Harvey was the son of Joseph and Isabell Harvey of Michigan, USA. He immigrated to Canada with the intentions of fighting for Canada. He joined the NWMP in August, 1918, and he died of the Spanish Flu at 'Depot' in October, 1918. He was 32 years of age.
George Allebaugh immigrated to Canada from Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA, but he too contracted the Spanish Flu at 'Depot'. He joined the NWMP on August 24, 1918, and he died on October 18, 1918 at the age of 28. He was buried in the 'Depot' Cemetery in Regina, SK.
George Frederick Kennedy joined the NWMP in August, 1918, and he succumbed to the Spanish Flu in Vancouver, BC on October 18th, 1918. He was 34. Reg.#7374, George Frederick Kennedy was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
One can imagine how the world would have been different and perhaps better if no one had died as a result of the Spanish Influenza. The men of the North West Mounted Police who were victims of the flu had joined the Force out of loyalty to Canada. Their deaths were unexpected and they died too early.
It is important to keep the memory of these men in our hearts. They were friends while they were with us, but they were helpless in the face of the pandemic. The six profiles here are only a few of the many NWMP who died of Spanish Flu. We express our gratitude to all the victims of the flu for the sacrifice they made and for their honourable and heart filled intentions to make life better for all of us.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
June 23, 2020
Mountain View Cemetery
Vancouver, BC
Spanish Influenza. Age 34.
On line Canadian Encyclopedia.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/1918-spanish-flu-in-canada.
