Sāmoanische Zeitung editor James Ah Sue; ‘With the incoming steamer arrives the news of a serious outbreak of influenza in Auckland, the malady having assumed epidemic form.’ Brother John died, then his father the following month.
Major Richardson on 9 November inspected the soldiers at the Market Hall barracks on Beach Road. All were at attention except Private Reuben Ross, 26,who was lying down, saying he ‘felt a bit crook’. Richardson advised PMO General Sydney Skerman of the men's condition. He checked them and decided they had influenza. The men said they had it before they left New Zealand and their transfer to Sāmoa had been delayed. Only at the last minute had the army changed its mind and had the soldiers sent on Talune. Skerman saw no reason to be alarmed. Next day more men were sick and Ross was sent to Motootua Hospital where he died.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Michael Field's South Pacific to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.