Cape Breton hospitality
Remembering three American soldiers who died in Northside homes from Spanish flu
“John Crilly Jr., resident of Washington, died Sunday at Quebec, Canada, where he had been assigned to duty with the United States Naval Air Service. Crilly trained at a naval station in Florida, and was then sent to Quebec, where he died of complications related to the Spanish flu epidemic.”
This obituary appeared in the Washington Post on Oct. 1, 1918. When they read it, we can assume that the parents of this young 22-year-old American serviceman were quite upset. However, they were also probably a little puzzled. For recent letters they had received from their son showed that he was stationed at Naval Air Station North Sydney, more than 1,000 miles east of Quebec City.
This unfortunate mixup in communication, regarding the untimely death of their son, was soon cleared up when a telegram was received from Dr. Calvin Caldwell, a lieutenant in the United States Navy. He said their son had indeed been stationed in North Sydney, not Quebec, and had not died in a strange hospital, staffed with French speaking doctors and nurses. Rather he had died in a private home in North Sydney, where he had been looked after as if he was one of the family.
John Crilly Jr. was one of three young American servicemen who died in this town during the autumn months of 1918. Two others died shortly after he did: William Schaffert from New York State and Lt. Robert Johnson from Iowa. They were victims of a worldwide pandemic known as the Spanish flu, which claimed at least 50,000 lives in Canada, most of whom were healthy young adults in the prime of life.
Five years ago, in May 2010, Dr. Peter Lawson made reference to these young Americans during opening remarks at a dedication ceremony at Kelly’s Beach (now Munro Park) in North Sydney.
A retired Canadian naval aviator and historian, and author of five books on the Royal Canadian Navy, Lawson was the guest speaker at this special event, which was held to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, during the Second World War.
The several hundred people who were in attendance also witnessed the unveiling of a replica flying boat (seaplane) and six historical plaques that described the history of Naval Air Station North Sydney, during the two world wars.
During his remarks, Lawson also stated that more than 200 Americans were stationed in North Sydney during the First World War, and many of them became sick with that terrible flu.
Because our small hospital was full with our own victims of the Spanish flu, many residents of the town offered to take those Americans who were seriously ill into their own homes, in spite of the danger to their own families.
Needless to say, the United States government was very appreciative for the personal care and service provided to its servicemen.
It was, said Lawson, an early example of Cape Breton hospitality at its finest.
As we prepare for the various upcoming Remembrance Day ceremonies in our local area, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all the men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces over the years, including those who have represented Canada on United Nations peacekeeping missions over the last half-century.
And, Lest We Forget, those three young Americans who died in our town, 97 years ago. At a time when we could not do that particular job ourselves, they were part of a volunteer American force that provided not only military seaplanes, but also much needed air and anti-submarine patrols off the coast of Cape Breton and eastern Canada.