The UNSEEN ENEMY (The Great Influenza Outbreak of 1918)
Andrew Summers
- Regions:
- London, Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £70 plus mileage and time as applicable
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 28th January 2026
- Tagged:
- 1914-18 Ww1
In November 1918 as the First World War came to an end a new and deadly foe established itself on the home front. It was unseen, advanced rapidly, took no prisoners and was commonly known as the Spanish Lady or Flu. Reporting widespread sickness in the military was considered detrimental to the morale of soldiers and civilians alike and although the news of the outbreak in the military was largely supressed, nothing could or was done to stop the spread of the infection itself. The pandemic of 1918 to 1919 was the deadliest in modern history and infected an estimated 500 million people, about one-third of the then world’s population. The talk explores the outbreaks origins, its effect on the civilian population where reporting restrictions were less draconian, what medical advice was available to counter the flu and the puzzle the why the infection became commonly known as the Spanish Flu.
Views: 20 | Enquiries: 1About Andrew Summers
Andrew was born within the sound of Bow Bells on a quiet day. His father Kazik spent two years in a Soviet Labour camp as a ‘guest’ of Joe Stalin. His mother Diana worked for some time at Bletchley Park helping to crack codes, but that was all very secretive. After a spell in North Kent and then Leigh on Sea, for the past 30 years Andrew has lived in Hadleigh (Essex) and been married to Glenis. Andrew has bought and sold books in the UK and abroad and even printed books too. With a change of tack he now an author and publisher. Andrew has written or co-written a number of books, They Did Their Duty, Essex Farm which tells the story of Essex Farm in Belgium and its connections with the Essex Regiment, edited The Numbers Had to Tally, a second world war survival story and written The Riddle of Boudica. He too has compiled ONCE UPON A TIME IN SOUTHEND (and District). With his co-writer John Debenham they have created the Essex Hundred series of books, including Magna Carta in Essex and The Essex Hundred Histories which has been reprinted 15 times. The latest title in the Essex Hundred series due in the spring of 2026 is ONCE IN ESSEX, NOW IN LONDON.
Our talks are ‘Powerpoint’ illustrated and usually include an embedded video short. We will bring our own lap top or flash drive for the presentation. We can provide a projector if needed at small extra charge. We rely on the venue to provide a suitable screen and audio/ sound equipment /mike if needed. Timing is between 40 minutes and one hour and allows for breaks and questions. We always look at history from alternative perspectives and try to link past events to those of the present day. More www.essex100.com, Email. ask@essex100.com Tel 01702 557828
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