73760 Private Frederick Walter Brown Williams 3/9/1888-4/9/1918

EPIDEMIC ON TRANSPORT

CONVOY GENERALLY AFFECTED 

INFLUENZA CAUSES 74 DEATHS. 

DISEASE CONTRACTED EN ROUTE. 

An important statement was made yesterday by Sir James Allen (Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence) with regard to the casualty list published this morning. “There are in the latest casualty list,” he said, “a number of cases which I am very sorry about. The 40th Reinforcement, owing to the outbreak on their transport of an epidemic which, unfortunately, turned out to be serious, lost about 65 men at sea, and since their landing at Home another nine deaths have occurred, while a good many are still sick. We have cabled for further information. All that we know at present is that the ship arrived at a distant port of call, which I don’t wish to name because it would disclose the route, and we had information from the officer commanding them, “Health good.” That is the last report we had until the vessel’s arrival in the United Kingdom. Whether she called at another port or not, I am unaware, but it is quite evident that the epidemic cannot have arisen through any conditions prevailing at the time of her departure from New Zealand, nor on the voyage to the port of call at which she was reported. It must have arisen subsequent to that, and I have not any knowledge as to the origin of the outbreak. Fortunately ten nurses were on board the transport, so one anticipates that the men had every care and attention given them. I very greatly regret this outbreak and these casualties, and deeply sympathise with the next-of-kin of those who lost their lives. The outbreak was apparently one of severe influenza, followed in some cases by pneumonia and bronchitis. The trouble was not confined to our own transport. There were other ships in the convoy and the convoy generally was affected. That also shows that the epidemic did not originate here, but originated en route. Sir James Allen added that he has had the matter reported on, by the medical advisers to the Defence Department. The report stated that during their period of training there was very little disease amongst the 40th Reinforcement, only one infectious case (scarlet fever) being recorded. From two ports of call the department got reports and, the health of the troops up to that time had been good. From this, stated the report, it was obvious that no infection was carried from New Zealand, since in the five weeks that up to that time had been good. From elapsed from embarkation to a port of call any outbreak would have had full time for development. Nor could there have been anything inherently the matter with the sanitary conditions of the ship, otherwise the effects would have been apparent before arrival at this port of call. The earliest death occurred nearly three weeks after leaving that port of call. In reply to inquiries Surgeon-General Henderson (Director-General of Medical Services) said that every precaution was taken to see that a ship was thoroughly clean before she was used as a transport for reinforcements. He personally inspected the vessels and noted any structural alterations or refitting required in the interest of the. troops. There was a thorough cleaning of the ships, so that the troops might run no risk of infection.

Following is an official list of the deaths which have occurred:....   -NZ Times, 18/9/1918.

Frederick Williams was an engraver for John Swan and company of Dunedin - a rare survivor to this day.  He was 28 year old on enlistment and described as of sallow complexion.  He had suffered from rheumatic fever when young but the took him for the army in any case.  His ship departed for the war in July of 1918 and, two months into the voyage, Frederick died of influenza and was buried at sea.

THE BROTHERS WILLIAMS. The casualty list published to-day includes the names of two well-known and highly respected Dunedin lads, one of whom, Private Albert Edwin Brown Williams, was killed on August 25, while in action in France, while his brother, Gunner Frederick Walter Brown Williams, died of sickness on September 4. The two lads were sons of Mr and Mrs J. A. Williams, of 59 Harbour Terrace. Albert, who was married, and 33 years of age, left New Zealand with the 29th Reinforcements. “ Freddy,” as he was more popularly known amongst his comrades, was a very prominent Rugby player in this City, playing five-eighth for the Alhambra Club. He represented Otago on 15 occasions in the seasons 1910 to 1913. He was looked upon as a very heady little player, but was unfortunate in being knocked out on many occasions. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended to the parents in their bereavement.  -Evening Star, 18/9/1918.

IN MEMORIAM

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. IN MEMORIAM.

WILLIAMS.—In loving memory of Private Frederick Walter Brown Williams (40th Reinforcements), who died at sea, September 4, 1918 beloved son of Mr and Mrs H. B. Williams, Harbour terrace, Dunedin. 

He left his home in perfect health, He little thought of death so nigh 

But God saw best to take him home, And with His will we must comply. 

The shock was great, the pain severe, To part with ore we loved so dear; 

Our trial's bard, we'll not complain, But trust in God to meet again. 

—Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/9/1919.