Historic Properties: Forsyth House - Felixstow

 Forsyth House, located in Adelaide’s eastern suburb of Felixstow, is a state heritage-listed residence originally built in 1913 for Arthur Ebenezer Pitt, who named the property Kahurangi. Set amid extensive orchards, it reflected the prosperity of the Pitt family, whose horticultural enterprise grew from early colonial beginnings in South Australia’s eastern districts. Arthur was the son of Ebenezer Pitt, an English migrant who arrived in 1847 and whose family became prominent in the region’s fruit-growing industry through Pitt & James.  Kahurangi remained in the Pitt family until 1943, when the property was sold to the Central Mission Old Folks Home Incorporated.

Following its sale, the home was renamed Forsyth House in honour of Samuel Forsyth, superintendent of the Central Methodist Mission. Forsyth was a significant social reformer whose contributions included establishing the Kuitpo Industrial Colony during the Great Depression and bringing radio stations 5KA and 5AU under mission ownership.

In 2008, the property evolved into the Aldersgate Nursing Home, continuing its role in community care. From 2025, Uniting Communities announced major redevelopment plans to expand the site into a broader integrated care precinct. These plans include aged care, retirement living, disability accommodation, dementia-specialist housing, affordable and social housing, and build-to-rent family apartments—blending heritage preservation with contemporary social and residential services.

Source: https://normus.com.au/urban_projects/aldersgate-village-and-forsyth-house/

Historic Properties: The Briars – Medindie

 Historic Properties:

 The Briars – Medindie

 

'The Briars', Medindie 1880 - SLSA: [PRG 742/5/139]

 

  Located on Briar Avenue, Medindie, The Briars was built for George C. Hawker. When Hawker purchased the property, it had a modest home already built, which he altered. He added another story and then decorated his property in Classical Italianate style. The main palazzo style façade features white rendered arches and a centred square tower. The design is carried along the side of the building with three archways.[1]  The home features 30 rooms.
  The original lot (Lot 38) on which Hawker built his mansion was owned by Francis Hayborough Dutton, who sold it to Francis Corbett Singlton in 1850. Singleton built the modest house that would eventually be added to and become The Briars. George Hawker purchased the property in 1857 and Lots 10 and 37 for £3500. This equated to approximately eight acres of land. Hawker purchased an additional four acres from Singleton in 1858, increasing his land holding to twelve acres. Thirty years later, in 1891, Hawker purchased Lots 12 and 13 from Francis Dutton.[2]

  Between 1865 and 1874, the Hawker family lived in England. During this time, The Briars was leased to John Acraman. The Hawkers returned to economic prosperity, and additions were made to the property, which now contained the house, stables, servants’ quarters and five acres of land used as paddocks.

1880 Hallway of the "Briars", home of George Charles Hawker.
SLSA: [B 41859]

  After Hawker's death, the property was sold to James William Cowell, a Norwood timber merchant. Cowel died in 1910; his estate was then managed by The Executive Trustee and Agency Company, which subdivided the acreage into 16 lots, leaving The Briars on approximately an acre of land. The property was then sold to William Bramwell Booth of the Salvation Army. The property was sold in 1987 for two million dollars to investors looking to transform it into a retirement village. This plan went unrealised, and instead, it eventually returned to private ownership.

In 1914, The Briars were purchased by the Salvation Army and became the McBride Maternity Hospital.   The Hospital was named in honour of Mr R. J. McBride, who was a prominent grazier at Kooringa near Burra. Mr McBride was known for his philanthropy, donated £3000 pounds to purchase the property for the purpose of a hospital.[3]

  The hospital provided accommodation for single mothers and their babies, as well as some public maternity patients. Some mothers (unwillingly) had their babies adopted out from the hospital. The hospital operated until the mid-1970s. It then became a convalescent hospital in 1978, with a small hostel for single mothers. The hostel closed in 1983, and the hospital closed in 1986.   

 

 

George Charles Hawker by artist Thomas Caleb Dalwood c.1890
SLSA: [B 3712]

 The Honorary George Hawker MP (1818-1905) was a successful sheep grazier and politician. George Hawker served in Parliament for 25 years from 1858 until 1883. In that time, he served as Speaker of the House of Assembly 1860-1865, Treasurer 1875, Chief Secretary in 1876, and Commissioner of Public Works from 1877-1881. The town of Hawker in the Flinders Ranges is named in his honour.

 Hawker married Bessie Seymour in 1845. Together they had fifteen children, six sons and six daughters. Hawker was to receive a Knighthood from Queen Victoria in 1895, but died before it could be bestowed upon him. George Hawker died at his home, The Briars, on 21 May 1895, and was buried in the North Road Cemetery.
 His widow appealed posthumously for George’s honours, which were approved by Queen Victoria, making her Lady Hawker. Hawkers’ estate left £305, 800. His art collection was left to his wife, who subsequently donated the collection of paintings and statues to the Art Gallery of South Australia upon her death. A marble bust of George Hawker sits on level one of Parliament House in Adelaide.[4]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller, ©2026
#AllenTiller #history #TheBriars #HauntedAdelaide #northroadcemetery 

 

 

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[1] McDougall & Vines Conservation and Heritage Consultants, Heritage Survey Of The Town Of Walkerville, The Corporation Of The Town Of Walkerville, Vol. (2 April 2005) pp. 22-28.

[2] Ibid.

[3] 'MR. R. J. M. McBRIDE.', The Register (10 February 1917), p. 11.; 'McBRIDE MATERNITY HOSPITAL.', The Advertiser, (30 January 1914), p. 10.

[4] 'Hawker, George Charles (1818–1895)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hawker-george-charles-3734/text5873.

 Haunted Playford

The City of Playford is a relatively new area, but within the city are many older suburbs such as Smithfield, Angle Vale, One Tree Hill and Uleybury. Within these older towns lie some of the area's most haunted locations.

Join paranormal historian Allen Tiller as he investigates ghosts, hauntings and monsters in the City of Playford. Learn about Di Klose and the infamous Bikini Ghost of Elizabeth, or about the ghost of a cat that haunts a former schoolhouse. Haunted Playford unlocks old and new true ghost stories from around the greater City of Playford area.

REVIEW:

I recently came across Haunted Playford and was immediately intrigued by its unique focus on the supernatural history within one of Australia’s youngest cities. The blend of urban modernity and age-old hauntings creates a fascinating contrast, reminding readers that even new places can hold ancient echoes and restless spirits beneath their surface.

Your storytelling doesn’t just catalogue ghost tales; it roots them in local lore, giving each haunting a human heartbeat. From the Bikini Ghost of Elizabeth to the spectral cat of a former schoolhouse, Haunted Playford paints a vivid map of mysteries where everyday streets conceal stories of tragedy, wonder, and the unexplained. It’s the kind of book that captures both the devoted paranormal enthusiast and the curious history buff looking for that eerie spark of the unknown.

-Elena

Haunted Playford: https://www.amazon.com.au/Haunted-Playford-Allen-Tiller/dp/B0FWCCRR4N?

 Hallowe’en in Gawler.

 

   In 1894, the Gawler Branch of the South Australian Caledonian Society held its Hallowe’en function in Gawler’s Town Hall. Over 100 people were present, with proceedings opened by a bagpipe recital by honorary Gawler pipers, D. Garland and J Harris.
 The Gawler Chief of the society, Professor Lowrie, made an opening speech before the dance floor was opened to the crowd. Several Scottish country dances were engaged in, before pianoforte recitals by Misses McDonald and Barnet were performed. Scottish pies and short breads were served to the crowd, who danced late into the following morning. Before the gathered guests departed, they broke into a raucous version of Auld Lang Syne.[1]

 

  In 1954, the Gawler Caledonian Society celebrated Hallowe’en at the Gawler South Hall. In attendance were Norman and Mrs Campbell, Chief of the Royal Caledonian Society, Gawler Mayor Mr E.C. Goodger and acting Mayoress, Mrs E.H. Lawrence, the Chairman of the Mudla Wirra District Council, Mr and Mrs R.L. Haydon and Mr C Martin.
 The hall was decorated with black cats, witches, ghosts and other traditional Hallowe’en decorations. The Royal Caledonian Pipe Band played for the gathered guests, and Miss Heather McIntosh gave a demonstration of dance. Songs were then presented by Mr Sandy McDougal, Mrs P Beveridge, Miss Shirley Davidson, Walter Ried, Ron Tuckwell and Steve Cho.
Games were played, with ‘dookin’ for apples’ causing great amusement among the crowd. ‘Bun on a string’ was also a crowd favourite.[2]

 Mr Hedley Thomas filmed the event, and it is for this reason I am writing this post – if anyone knows where that footage might be, please let me know, as it would be a worthy contribution to the Gawler Heritage Centre's collection!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'S. A. Caledonian Society.', Bunyip, (2 November 1894), p. 2.

[2] 'Pipers Present at Gawler Hallowe'en.', Bunyip, (29 October 1954), p. 1.

Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.

 Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.

On the 14^th of May 1901, the body of Bridget Dunn was found in Anderson’s Creek. The creek, near the property of Lambert Christie, had about 18 inches of water in it. Dunn’s legs were tied together, and her hands fastened behind her back, an obvious murder.[1]

 Bridget Dunn was a servant of Mr Lambert and Rosa Christie. She had been in the employ of the Christies for 3 and half years. Lambert Christie was born on Kangaroo Island in 1858. With his father, he operated the Kangaroo Island mail service. In 1895, Lambert purchased land surrounding Dalebrook Homestead.[2] Lambert was a member of the Morphett Vale District Council and served as Chairperson from 1904 until 1909. He laid the foundation stone for the Morphet Vale Institute extension in William Street, Morphett Vale in 1928. The farm was sold in 1932, and the land south of what is now Christie's Creek was subdivided and named Christie's Beach.[3]

Bridget Dunn was described as a cheerful young lady. In early May 1901, she visited a psychic and had her fortune told. After that time Bridget’s demeanour changed, and she became morose and low-spirited. Bridget was questioned on her noticeable change of temperament, and replied, "You don't know what the fortune-teller told me." [4]

Governess of the Christie house, Miss Naughton, last saw Dunn at 9:30 am on Wednesday. She was not reported missing until noon that day when her neglect of her usual duties was noticed. A search was conducted, and Mr O.R. Milway found her body in the creek under the bridge.
 

During an inquest, evidence was submitted that Dunn had been acting irrationally the morning of her death. She had reportedly made a fire outside and burned books, papers and old clothing. Dunn had mentioned suicide but in a joking way. The jury brought in the following verdict:  "That deceased came to her death by drowning herself while in a temporary fit of insanity, which was brought on by a hallucination after seeing a fortune-teller."[5]

  It seems to me, highly unlikely that Bridget Dunn committed suicide. How would she tie her hands behind her back before drowning herself? If she was going to take her own lie, other, easier means would have been readily available on a farm in 1901. It seems to me, and this is just my personal opinion, that someone killed Bridget Dunn, and we may never know the reason why!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025.

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[1] 'A Determined Suicide.', Chronicle. (25 May 1901), p. 16.

[2] ‘History of Christies Beach,’ Professionals Christies Beach, (2013), https://christiesbeachprofessionals.com.au/2013/09/history-of-christies-beach/.

[3] Bruce Swann, ‘Christies Homestead: Treasures Wall Exhibit,’ State Library of South Australia, (2009), https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/595.

[4] 'After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', The Daily Telegraph, (20 May 1901), p. 6.

[5] 'Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', Sunday Times, (26 May 1901), p. 8. 

Mary Sullivan vs. Madame Valetta – Psychic Fraud?

Mary Sullivan vs. Madame Valetta  

– Psychic Fraud?

  In 1889, South Australian fortune teller Louisa Valetta was charged by police for obtaining half a crown by false pretence. Mrs Sullivan had visited Valetta, who gave her a cup of tea and a quick chat. Valetta then shuffled some cards and dealt them. She explained Sullivan's fortune by reading the cards.

 The following day Sullivan went to the police to have Valetta charged for being a fake psychic. She did not demand the return of her money. The presumption by the police at the time was that Sullivan had done so out of spite. Magistrate S. Beddomme heard the case and fined Valetta for deceptively obtaining money by pretending to tell Sullivan's fortune.
 Valetta appealed the decision, and the case was heard in front of Justice Boucaut. Her lawyer, W. V. Smith, presented that she had been convicted as ‘she did unlawfully deceive and impose upon one Mary Sullivan by pretending to tell her fortune; whereby she obtained the sum of 2s; 6d.” The grounds of the appeal, that Valetta was not guilty of the charges, were based on the grounds that there, ‘was no evidence to support the conviction; that the conviction was bad in law; and that the order was bad in law and ultra vires’ (beyond the powers). [1]

  At the time (1889) legislation in South Australia was based on English law. One law, Hen. VIII, C.8 stated that it was a felony to practice conjuration, witchcraft or sorcery to obtain monies, to consume any person in his body, members, or goods or to provoke any person to unlawful law. According to the South Australian Register (newspaper) reported at the time that the law was repealed but reinstated in the 5^th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and again during the reign of King James 1 – the law from this time stayed for another 140 years.[2]
 The law stated it was punishable by death to,

consult with, entertain, employ, feed or reward any wicked spirit with the intent to take up any dead person out of the grave for the purpose of using the body in any witchcraft, sorcery, charm or enchantment, whereby any person might be killed, wasted, consumed.[3]

  Due to people using the law to persecute people they did not like, it was modified, but still enforced in England, and South Australia in 1889. King George II modified the law, abolishing the prosecutions for witchcraft on the assumption that such a thing did not exist. The law still offered protection for people being scammed by those pretending to be sorcerers, psychics and fortune tellers, with the punishment of death being downgraded to imprisonment or pillory. (Pillory was a wooden device where the heads and arms were placed through holes and locked in place. The prisoner was then exposed to public humiliation – and sometimes rotten fruit may be thrown at them.

The Police Act, 15, (1869-70) (An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to the Police in South Australia.) states, 'Every person pretending to tell fortunes, or using any subtle craft, means, or device, by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive and impose upon Her Majesty's subjects.’[4]

The punishment is,
 ‘Shall be liable to imprisonment for any time not exceeding two calendar months with or without hard labour.’[5]

Evidence was provided that there was no evidence that Valetta had been paid for a fortune telling. There was no imposition to Sullivan proved, Valetta only mentioned things that were ‘likely to happen,’ and which were in the realms of possibility.  By Sullivan not requesting her money returned, the charge was quashed as being presented on false pretence as there was no evidence that the person received money. Magistrate Boucaut stated, to him, it seemed as if two women had been friends and head been telling each other’s fortune for some six months or so, daily. That friendship dissolved, and one sought revenge against another. There was no evidence that Madame Valetta advertised her services as a psychic, so could not be charged under the Police Act for deception. The conviction was overturned.[6]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'THE FORTUNE-TELLING CASE.', The Advertiser, (22 August 1889), p. 5.

[2] 'FORTUNE-TELLING.', South Australian Register, (22 August 1889), p. 4.

[3] 'FORTUNE-TELLING.', South Australian Register, (22 August 1889), p. 4.

[4] Police Act (No 15 of 33 Vic, 1869-70), South Australian Government, (1870), p. 91.

[5] Police Act (No 15 of 33 Vic, 1869-70), South Australian Government, (1870), p. 91.

[6] 'THE FORTUNE-TELLING CASE.', The Advertiser, (22 August 1889), p. 5.

 Lightning Strikes – The Death of Mr Carey

 It was a Friday afternoon January 25 1901, Thomas Carey, a farmer near Templers, was returning home after visiting Gawler. He was riding in a wagon with six horses. His brother, Jeremiah Carey, an employee of Mr Flett, had also been in Gawler that day, and rode with his brother as far as Flett’s farm near Roseworthy.
 Thomas waited with his horses and wagon while his brother went into his lodgings and found an overcoat that he gave to Jeremiah. Mr Flett invited Thomas to park his wagon at the farmhouse and stable his horses as a fierce storm had settled in. Thomas declined the invitation.  Jeremiah then changed his clothes and went with Mr Flett to check on an overflowing drain. The men walked for a little while but noticed Thomas's wagon was sitting idle alongside the road. They walked over to it and found all six horses and Thomas dead.[1]

Authorities were alerted, with Mounted Constable Grosser the first on the scene. He found Thomas Carey sitting in an upright position, his body leaning back on the hay frame. His feet were resting on the shafts. Thomas’ left leg was scorched above the ankle, as was the left side of his neck and face. His moustache and hair on the left of his body was badly singed.  Thomas’ body had many small burn marks, especially across his torso. His hat had been blown off his head and was lying 200 yards away.
 The horses were lying dead where they had stood, with no apparent electrical or fire damage. The wagon was also unscathed.
Mr A.G. Both, J.P. stated that an inquest was not required and approved for the burial of the man and his horses. The horses were buried in a 10-foot-deep, former waterhole on the property of James Dingle.[2]

Thomas Carey was buried at the Willaston Cemetery. The Bunyip newspaper reported that the funeral procession was one of the longest ever seen in the district at the time, with over 100 vehicles following the hearse. [3]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.', Border Watch, (30 January 1901), p. 1.

[2] 'Killed by Lightning.', Bunyip, (1 February 1901), p. 2.

[3] 'Killed by Lightning.', Bunyip, (1 February 1901), p. 2.

 Lightning Strikes – Penola Shepherds

 In January 1907, James and his older brother Alex Patterson were mustering sheep on their uncle's farm near Penola in the southeast of South Australia. They counted the sheep they had mustered and realized the count fell short, so they went to look for the lost sheep.
 As they rode their horses through the paddocks, a storm blew in. The two boys took shelter under the tree. The tree proved to be insufficient to shelter both boys and their horses, so Alec rode on a little further to find another tree to shelter underneath.[1]
 James could see his brother when a flash of lightning filled the gloom of the storm. James watched his brother’s horse fall. He ran to his brother to find him sitting upright with his pocketbook in his hand, as he had been counting sheep when the lightning struck. Next to him was his dead horse and his dead dog. He then ran to the nearest house and alerted them to the tragedy.

 Mounted Constable Carter, William Patterson (Alex’s uncle) and Dr Magee from Penola made their way to the site of the tragedy.[2] They discovered Alex’s body, his clothes were torn, his right trouser leg was entirely split, and his boots torn to shreds. His body had been seared in some places and his hair singed.[3] They loaded the body onto a cart and brought it back to Penola.

A report on the incident was published in the Border Watch newspaper as follows,

"I have the honor to report that William Patterson, J. P. reported to me at 5.30 p.m., on the 26th inst., that his nephew, Alexander John Patterson, son of James Patterson, of Suthledge, was killed by lightning on the Victorian border, near Lake Mundi. I left immediately in company with Dr. Magee and Mr. W. Patterson, and found that, the deceased, his horse, and his dog were all killed near a gum tree, under which they had taken shelter from the storm.
  The horse had evidently fallen where struck, and it was bleeding from the ears and was dead. The sheep dog was lying dead close to the deceased, and its hair was singed. The ground was torn up round where the deceased lay. He had the body brought into Penola.
   James Andrew Patterson, aged 13 years, stated that between 3 and 4 o'clock on Saturday, he was mustering sheep with his deceased brother, who was 17 years of age. They found they were short in number, and were searching for the missing ones when a heavy storm came on, and they both took shelter under trees. The deceased was sitting under one tree about a chain away from the one he was under. He had his horse close to him, holding it by the bridle, and his pocket book in his hand counting up the number of sheep. A flash of lightning came; and he saw his brother's horse fall. He ran over, and found his brother sitting as before with his pocket book in his hand. He spoke to him, but got no answer. He spoke to him again, and found he was dead, and also the horse and dog. He immediately went to the nearest neighbours, told the, what had happened, and asked for help.
  Dr. C.C. Magee reported on the evening of the 26^th inst. He, in company with M.C. Carter of Penola, inspected the body of Alexander John Patterson, aged about 17 years, found dead under a tree, 114 miles from Penola, on the Casterton Road.
 He found the right leg of the trousers badly torn from the middle of the thigh downwards. The right boot was completely torn off the foot, only the heel and sole of the boot being. left. The toe of the left boot was torn open. About half a dozen holes were burnt in the singlet, and a small hole was burnt in the soft felt hat.
  On examination of the body he found the hair on the back of the head and ears singed, about half a dozen small burns on the back between the shoulder blades corresponding with the holes in the singlet, a bruise about an inch square between the eighth and ninth rib on the left side, the pubic hair singed, a burn about the size of the palm of a hand on front of the right leg between the knee and ankle, a small burn under the right big toe, and the hair singed on the right leg up to the knee.
 From these appearances he considered death to have been caused by lightning stroke, and to have been instantaneous.[4]

 

Alexander was buried in the Penola cemetery, with the Reverend D.A. Souter ministering over the procession.[5] Alexander is buried alongside his uncle, Thomas MacDonald, who died just two weeks prior.[6]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] Youth, Horse, And Dog.', The Register, (28 January 1907), p. 5.

[2] 'TRAGIC DEATH AT PENOLA.', The South Eastern Times, (29 January 1907), p. 2.

[3] 'KILLED BY LIGHTNING.', The Register, (29 January 1907), p. 4.

[4] 'THUNDERSTORM HEAR PENOLA.', Border Watch, (30 January 1907), p. 2.

[5] ‘Patterson’, Cemetery Search, Wattle Range Council, (2025), https://www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/living-here/cemeteries/cemetery-search?action=grave&id=254374.

[6] 'THUNDERSTORM HEAR PENOLA.', Border Watch, (30 January 1907), p. 2.

 Lightning Strikes – The Death of Bertha Cook.

 On Monday 4 February 1929, 25-year-old Bertha Cook was doing her washing in her backyard, while her son Lloyd played nearby. Her husband Fred, a returned soldier and fruit grower, was working in the front yard. The sky was overcast but did not look threatening. As thunderstruck a bolt of lightning struck Bertha in the head. Lloyd was struck by the shockwave that followed, but through his daze, managed to get into the front yard of the property and alert his father that something was wrong with Bertha.[1]

 Fred came into the backyard to find Bertha’s clothes ablaze.  He put the fire out and tried to revive his wife, but she was dead. He then ran for medical help. Lightning had struck her on the shoulder, her shoulder and legs were ‘charred to cinders,’ and her shoes were ‘torn from her feet like tissue paper.’[2]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'Latest News.', West Coast Recorder, (7 February 1929), p. 2.

[2] 'WOMAN KILLED.', The Advertiser, (7 February 1929), p. 13.; 'Woman Killed by Lightning.', The Narracoorte Herald, (15 Feb 1929), p. 4.

 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

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[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

Lightning Strikes – The Tragic Death of A.H. Chapman.

 Lightning Strikes 

– The Tragic Death of A.H. Chapman.

 On October 7, 1907, 21-year-old Alfred Harold Chapman of Weaver’s Lagoon, was working on the farm of Mr James Latty near Yorketown.[1] Chapman was droving stock from a paddock heading back towards the farmhouse when a storm passed overhead. Lightning erupted, with one bolt striking Chapman as he rode his horse.
 A report into the lightning strike stated that the lightning entered Chapman through his head, splitting his hat in two, and blowing its remains over 12 feet away. The lightning traveled down the side of his head, burning his face, ear and neck, before burning through patches of skin on his chest and legs. Most of his shirt and other clothing were found over 12 yards away (approx. 10.5 metres) from his corpse. Chapman was holding a dead rabbit in his hand, which had been caught by the dog which accompanied him – the dog remained unharmed.[2]
The saddle on which Chapman was riding had a hole burned through it. There were lightning marks on the horse’s shoulder, and down its forelegs towards its hooves. Despite the thunderstorm, no rain fell on the dead man on horse.[3]

' body was transported back to Adelaide. He was buried at Clarendon Cemetery, near his family home. He had been at the Yorketown farm only a few weeks. [4]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'TELEGRAMS.', The Narracoorte Herald, (8 October 1907), p. 2.

[2] 'Yorketown', Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser, (11 October 1907), p. 3.

[3] 'KILLED BY LIGHTNING.', The Register, (8 October 1907), p. 9.

[4] 'Yorketown', Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser, (11 October 1907), p. 3.