Flying Officer Jack Zillwood

Was the word Rabies left out deliberately on the gravestone even though it says he was attacked by a rabid dog? .This was neglect not having a serum nearby if it was available 70 years ago..Looking online it seems common in places 70 bites a day.
Not forgotten.

A footnote to the above story.

I was in Rayleigh Church today (bank holiday Monday), as it was open for people to go up the tower.
I was looking around the church, and stopped to take a photograph of the list of those who died in WWI.
The last name being, a Fred Zillwood. I imagine he must have been a relation of Jack Zillwood ?

Thank you very much for posting that John. It makes fascinating reading.

It certainly was a sad end for someone so young, and sad that he didn’t
get the treatment he deserved.

Kindest regards … Alan

Re: Flying Officer Jack Zillwood

Alan,

Jackie (as the family called him) joined the RAF early on and as a sergeant was accepted into pilot training. He was sent to Canada for training. I’m not sure where he was in Canada as there were several Commonwealth training centres. I was actually posted to one of them myself in 1964, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

I was told that he had purchased some lingerie for his girlfriend in Canada and from his hospital bed asked his mother to send it to her. I have no idea who or where she was.

I have a copy of the inquiry into his death. It is more than 30 pages of testimony and memos back and forth between the air ministry and the RAF. One memo says, “Perhaps if we offer to pay for the funeral the family won’t take it any further.” Talk about covering your behind!

Here is the transcript of the newspaper notice of his funeral:

Transcription of an article in the “Southend Standard” dated Thursday, 30 January 1947

BITTEN BY PARIAH
DOG

DEATH OF YOUNG FLYING
OFFICER

After serving throughout the war in the R.A.F., and surviving two airplane crashes, a 23 years old flying officer was bitten by a pariah dog in India six months ago, developed rabies, and died last week.
He was Flying Officer Maurice Frederick Zillwood, Aubrey Mansions, Lisson Street, Marylebone. Although his home was in London, he had lived for frequent periods at Rayleigh with relatives, and he was buried there on Tuesday.
He had only been home for three weeks, and was on demobilization leave. After the first week he complained of a pain in his arm and lack of appetite. He died on Wednesday week, a few days after being admitted to University College Hospital, London.
A verdict of accidental death was returned at the London inquest, but it was understood enquiries are being made by the Air Ministry regarding the supply of vaccine on the deceased’s station in India.
The funeral took place at Rayleigh on Tuesday, when an R.A.F. contingent marched behind the coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack. The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Zillwood (father and mother), Mrs. F. Baker (grand-mother), Mrs. W. Zillwood and Mrs. Girling (aunts), Mr. M. Baker (uncle), Mr. and Mrs. Grigg, Mr. and Mrs. Banks and Mr. and Mrs. Mayo (uncles and aunts) and Mr. F. Zillwood (cousin).

Regards,
John Zillwood

Thank you for posting John. I have often look at that headstone and wondered about
the story behind Jack’s sad death. It’s close by a grave of my wife’s aunt.
Thanks for filling in the gaps. Do you know anything of his flying career ?

Re: Flying Officer Jack Zillwood

Thank you both for honouring my first cousin once removed. He was my dad’s first cousin and the Best Man at my parents wedding. He was the only child of my Great Uncle and Aunt.

The RAF Medical Officer in India had out of date serum that also was not refridgerated and basically said, “We’ll give this a try old chap!” He could have sent Jackie to Karachi only 60 miles away where they had current serum but neglected to do so.

John Zillwood
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
ex RCAF and former Canadian Pacific Airlines Avionics Tech.

Here is a photo of the poor chap…

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=36418079