Lightning Strikes – Islington.
In December
1895, sisters, Mrs King and Mrs Daly were walking along the North Road near the
Reepham Hotel at Islington when lightning struck. The two ladies were thrown to
the ground unconscious. When both ladies were roused, neither could use their
legs. Mrs King was taken into the Reepham Hotel where it was revealed she had
been severely burned across her body, her hair had been singed, and her boots
blown from her feet.[1]
Mrs Daly was far more fortunate, escaping with a severe shock only. A horse
that was standing not far from where the two women were struck, was killed
instantly.[2]
The ladies
were attended by well-known Adelaide Doctor C.G. Lermitte. Dr Charles Gower
Lermitte was born in Canada in approximately 1862. He was educated in medicine
at Richmond England.[3]
On 28 May 1889, Charles married Augusta
Katherine Winifred Scott at Walkerville, South Australia.[4]
In 1890 the
couple moved to Deloraine in Tasmania where Charles worked as a Doctor.[5]
In 1900, Dr Lermitte was working from Olive House, Gilberton, South Australia.[6]
In October 1920 it was reported in the
Adelaide Observer that Doctor Lermitte had committed suicide at his home in
Kent Town. He was found dead in his bed by his wife. It was concluded he had
taken prussic acid, what we know today as hydrogen cyanide.
During an inquest into the doctor’s death, it was shown that he had been in a
suicidal state for some time prior. A letter was produced at the inquest in Dr
Lermittes hand, which stated he had previously taken 43 grains of sulphate of
morphia, enough to kill 3 or four men, but he had barely felt affected.
The coroner was surprised at the ruling
of temporary insanity and questioned the jury. Several of the Coroner's own
friends were intimately acquainted with the doctor and did now think he would
take his own life. [7]
Charles
Gower Lermitte, M.R.C.S. Eng. & L.S.A. Lond. was 40 years old at the time of his death. He
owned medical practices at Gilberton, Kent Town and Norwood.[8]
Dr Lermitte was buried at Nailsworth Cemetery.[9]
Researched
and written by Allen Tiller © 2025
[1] 'The Sunbeam Society.', Evening Journal,
(7 December 1895), p. 4.
[2] 'STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.', The Advertiser, (7
December 1895), p. 5.
[3] Charles Gower Larmitte, District 14, Richmond, Surrey,
Class: RG11; Piece: 844; Folio 844, GSU roll: 1341200. England
Census, (1881), p. 29.
[4] Lermitte – Scott, Australia Marriage Index,
1788-1949, Vol. 159, (1889), p. 1130.
[5] Medical Directory, Tasmania PO Directory, (Wise),
(1890-91), Australia, City Directories, (1891), p. 390.
[6] Lindsay, Practitioners Resident Abroad, The Medical
Directory (1900), p. 1799.
[7] 'THE LATE DR. LERMITTE.', Adelaide Observer,
(25 October 1902), p. 31.
[8] 'DR. C. LERMITTE.', The Express and Telegraph,
(17 October 1902), p. 1
[9] Dr Charles Gower Lermitte, Find a Grave, (1902), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227319684/charles_gower-lermitte
