Lightning Strikes – Islington.
In December1895, sisters, Mrs King and Mrs Daly were walking along the North Road near theReepham Hotel at Islington when lightning struck. The two ladies were thrown tothe ground unconscious. When both ladies were roused, neither could use theirlegs. Mrs King was taken into the Reepham Hotel where it was revealed she hadbeen severely burned across her body, her hair had been singed, and her bootsblown from her feet.
Mrs Daly was far more fortunate, escaping with a severe shock only. A horsethat was standing not far from where the two women were struck, was killedinstantly.
The ladieswere attended by well-known Adelaide Doctor C.G. Lermitte. Dr Charles GowerLermitte was born in Canada in approximately 1862. He was educated in medicineat Richmond England.
On 28 May 1889, Charles married AugustaKatherine Winifred Scott at Walkerville, South Australia.
In 1890 thecouple moved to Deloraine in Tasmania where Charles worked as a Doctor.In 1900, Dr Lermitte was working from Olive House, Gilberton, South Australia. In October 1920 it was reported in theAdelaide Observer that Doctor Lermitte had committed suicide at his home inKent Town. He was found dead in his bed by his wife. It was concluded he hadtaken 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 asuicidal state for some time prior. A letter was produced at the inquest in DrLermittes hand, which stated he had previously taken 43 grains of sulphate ofmorphia, enough to kill 3 or four men, but he had barely felt affected.
The coroner was surprised at the rulingof temporary insanity and questioned the jury. Several of the Coroner's ownfriends were intimately acquainted with the doctor and did now think he wouldtake his own life.
CharlesGower Lermitte, M.R.C.S. Eng. & L.S.A. Lond. was 40 years old at the time of his death. Heowned medical practices at Gilberton, Kent Town and Norwood.Dr Lermitte was buried at Nailsworth Cemetery.
Researchedand written by Allen Tiller © 2025
'The Sunbeam Society.', Evening Journal,(7 December 1895), p. 4.
'STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.', The Advertiser, (7December 1895), p. 5.
Charles Gower Larmitte, District 14, Richmond, Surrey,Class: RG11; Piece: 844; Folio 844, GSU roll: 1341200. EnglandCensus, (1881), p. 29.
Lermitte – Scott, Australia Marriage Index,1788-1949, Vol. 159, (1889), p. 1130.
Medical Directory, Tasmania PO Directory, (Wise),(1890-91), Australia, City Directories, (1891), p. 390.
Lindsay, Practitioners Resident Abroad, The MedicalDirectory (1900), p. 1799.
'THE LATE DR. LERMITTE.', Adelaide Observer,(25 October 1902), p. 31.
'DR. C. LERMITTE.', The Express and Telegraph,(17 October 1902), p. 1
Dr Charles Gower Lermitte, Find a Grave, (1902), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2...
