Lightning Strikes – The Tragic Death of A.H. Chapman.
On October 7, 1907, 21-year-old Alfred HaroldChapman of Weaver’s Lagoon, was working on the farm of Mr James Latty nearYorketown.Chapman was droving stock from a paddock heading back towards the farmhousewhen a storm passed overhead. Lightning erupted, with one bolt striking Chapmanas he rode his horse.
A report into the lightning strikestated that the lightning entered Chapman through his head, splitting his hatin two, and blowing its remains over 12 feet away. The lightning traveled downthe side of his head, burning his face, ear and neck, before burning throughpatches of skin on his chest and legs. Most of his shirt and other clothingwere found over 12 yards away (approx. 10.5 metres) from his corpse. Chapmanwas holding a dead rabbit in his hand, which had been caught by the dog whichaccompanied him – the dog remained unharmed.
The saddle on which Chapman was riding had a hole burned through it. There werelightning marks on the horse’s shoulder, and down its forelegs towards itshooves. Despite the thunderstorm, no rain fell on the dead man on horse.
'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.
Researchedand written by Allen Tiller © 2025
'TELEGRAMS.', The Narracoorte Herald, (8October 1907), p. 2.
'Yorketown', Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser,(11 October 1907), p. 3.
'KILLED BY LIGHTNING.', The Register, (8October 1907), p. 9.
'Yorketown', Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser,(11 October 1907), p. 3.
