THREE DEATHS BY LIGHTNING IN RIPON DISTRICT
Article from the Yorkshire Post mentioning Gilbert Hay Blanche
CASUALTIES AT THE CAMPS
The effect of the great storm yesterday afternoon was particularly severely felt in the Ripon district and it has been ascertained today that two men were fatally injured. A woman also died from heart failure brought on by the shock, and quite a number of other people complained today of minor shocks.
The storm broke over Ripon quite suddenly about four o’clock, and the heavy rain was followed by a big downfall of hailstones. From that time onwards the thunder and lightning seemed to approach closer and closer, until the sky seemed to be continually torn right over the city by vivid flashes, whilst the noise of the thunder was positively fearsome.
The most serious casualties reported occurred at the camp of the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment, at Lindrick, near Studley Royal. Apparently five men in this regiment had been in a big canteen tent, and they were running across an open field to get to their own tent when a flash of lightning cut them down. Private Harry Parnell was instantly killed, and the other four men were all burned. Two of them were sufficiently seriously injured to be detained in the military hospital at Ripon.
Another fatality occurred at Breckamore, and the victim is one of the thousands of men engaged on constructing the great military camps around Ripon. Up to this afternoon the man had not been identified, and this is not surprising, because these labourers have come from all parts of the British Isles.
The man was sheltering under a tree which was struck, and he must have been killed instantly, for when found he was without jacket or vest, his right trouser leg was torn from top to bottom, and his right boot had been cut off.
The woman who died from heart failure was an elderly lady, Mrs Kilding, of 24, Low Skellgate, Ripon. She had been attended for some time by a doctor for heart trouble.
There may be no necessity to hold an inquest on her. An inquest on the soldier will be held by the Coroner tonight, and on the unknown man tomorrow.
Private Blanche, of the Durham Light Infantry, with his wife and comrade, were caught by the storm in Studley Park, and made for a small shelter hut near the Cocked Hat Inn. While they were sheltering the hut was struck by lightning, and Blanche and his wife were injured.
Mrs Blanche, who is residing in North Street, Ripon, and is 22 years of age, suffered a nasty burn on one foot, and is suffering from shock. Her husband was also injured about the feet, and has been treated in the military hospital.
Date: 1-Jul-1915
Author: Yorkshire Evening Post
Where to find this: British Newspaper Archive
Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Kelloe Visitor, Trimdon Station
