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William George Lempriere (1826–1887)

Mr. W. G. [William George] Lempriere, who was grievously hurt at the late deplorable railway accident on the Brighton line on Wednesday evening last, succumbed to his injuries at half-past 1 o'clock on Saturday morning. Since he was taken to the hospital he received the assiduous attention of Dr. J. Cooke (a member of the honorary medical staff), of Dr. Sutherland (resident surgeon), and of Dr. C. Lempriere, jun. (his nephew), who scarcely left him night or day. His injuries were, however, of so grave a nature that from the first the surgeons considered that they would ultimately prove fatal.

William George Lempriere, third son of the late assistant commissary-general T. J. Lempriere (an old Waterloo officer) was born at Hobart on the 10th August, 1826, and was consequently in his 61st year. In early life he entered a mercantile firm in Hobart, where he received his training for a commercial career. Subsequently, in 1854, he became a partner in the well-known firm of Tondeur, Lempriere, and Co., of Hobart and Melbourne, and in 1859 he took up his permanent residence in Melbourne. Latterly, he was known as the senior partner of W. G. Lempriere and Co., merchants and commission agents, of Queen-street, Melbourne. In 1855 he married a daughter of Mr. McRobie, of Hobart, by whom he had seven sons and five daughters, the youngest son being about six years old. Two years ago his wife died, and was buried in the St. Kilda Cemetery. The same grave now contains the remains of the husband. Mr. T. H. Lempriere, grand secretary of the Freemason's Society, and Dr. Lempriere, sen., of Toorak-road, South Yarra (at present in England), brothers of the deceased gentleman, are well-known citizens. Of the parents, who arrived in Hobart in 1822, the mother still survives at the great age of 85 years. It is not known that Mr. W. G. Lempriere during his long and successful career in Victoria took any prominent part in public affairs, except that he was a member of the Caulfield Shire Council, whose interests he watched with constant care and attention. He was also a justice of the peace for the Central Bailiwick. The Rev. H. B. Macartney's church at Caulfield, of which he was a member, was constantly cherished by him, and its present prosperity may be said to be greatly owing to his efforts in its behalf.

The funeral left the Alfred Hospital at half-past 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the long cortege wended its way along Punt-road, Wellington-street, and Dandenong-road to the St. Kilda cemetery. Four mourning coaches, containing the numerous relatives and intimate friends of the deceased gentleman, together with numerous cabs and other vehicles carrying numbers of prominent citizens, followed the hearse. At the gates of the cemetery a number of friends and neighbours from Balaclava, where the deceased had resided for many years, were in waiting to follow the remains. The coffin, borne on the shoulders of four attendants, was literally covered with beautiful wreaths, bouquets, and crosses of lovely white autumn flowers. The Rev. H. B. Macartney, who seemed much moved, read the impressive Church of England service, but refrained from delivering an address. Mr. R. Churchus, of High-street, St. Kilda, was the undertaker. It should be stated that Dr. Youl, the coroner, certified that, the cause of death being obvious, he did not consider it necessary that an inquest should be held on the remains of Mr. Lempriere.

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Citation details

'Lempriere, William George (1826–1887)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/lempriere-william-george-18534/text30188, accessed 3 November 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

10 August, 1826
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Death

14 May, 1887 (aged 60)
Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

train accident

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
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