Young Policeman Victim of 1918 Influenza Epidemic - John Joseph O'Gorman

 

Constable John Joseph O’Gorman died at the Vermont Street Temporary Hospital on 13^th November 1918 aged 32.

Being a fit young policeman was no protection from the flu epidemic. In fact, the week before John died, it was reported in the newspapers that 35 members of the Auckland police force were laid up with influenza, including senior members of staff.

In an effort to protect officers and maintain an effective police service, a small vaporising plant was set up at the city police barracks. This machine created an antiseptic vapour spray from which clothing and throats could be disinfected, which they believed protected both officers and the public which they came in contact with.

As if losing her young husband of 2 years wasn’t enough for John’s poor widow Mary, there was more drama to come. When John died Mary purchased 2 plots in anticipation of her and her mother’s interment. 5 years later she employed a monumental mason company to erect a monument over her husband’s grave site, only to discover the company had placed the monument on the wrong site. It took her taking the masons to court to get this rectified and the monument was duly moved to its current site.

Mary was widowed 52 years before she was finally laid to rest here with her husband in 1970 at the age of 83. She never remarried.

Compiled by Geri Eccles - Discover Waikumete Cemetery

Sources:

PapersPast

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19181116.2.2.6

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19240627.2.100