Bertha Larner

The pandemic was nicknamed ‘Spanish Influenza’ because the first reported cases were in Spain. Although historians largely debate where the pandemic actually originated from, with arguments ranging from China to America to France, the reporting of cases in Spanish media largely contributed to the nickname. During WW1, countries including Britain, France, Germany and the United States enforced ‘media blackouts’ on any news which could lower the morale of the country. This meant these countries did not report cases on influenza, whilst Spain – who remained neutral in WW1 – did not have a blackout and so regularly reported cases of influenza.

Although not directly caused by the war, the cramped and unhygienic conditions of the front line trenches allowed the disease to spread easily and quickly and it is believed that soldiers returning home from the front lines brought the outbreak to the UK, spreading it through the railways 4 . The disease affected the young and the healthy, with those between 20 and 30 years old – like Bertha – particularly affected. Her position as nurse made Bertha even more vulnerable to contracting the deadly disease.

Please see Joseph Artiss to find out more about wounded soldiers treated at the University of Birmingham.