(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

[1871 - 1951]

Dr Ferguson Lemon

Born on 11 July 1871 at Hawthorn, Dr Lemon was the 7th son of a civil servant, Robert Ferguson Lemon and his wife, Susan. His full name was Ferguson Frederick Augustus Leopold Lemon.

After passing his matriculation examination, Ferguson became a master at Camberwell Grammar School, followed by 3 years as a master at Wesley College. In 1896 he went to England, where he acted as secretary to the Australian Cricketers who were on tour there at that time.

In 1897 Ferguson commenced his medical studies at Melbourne University, where he obtained his medical and surgical qualifications.

He then visited China and Japan as surgeon on board the R.M.S. Australian before travelling aboard the same ship from China to Sydney and Melbourne in February 1902.

Following his return, Ferguson formed a partnership with Dr J. Alexander Scott in a practice at Hawthorn. Dr Scott and Dr Lemon both used homœopathy, as well as conventional medicines, to treat patients. Dr Scott had already been appointed as a medical practitioner at the Melbourne Homœopathic Hospital (which was later re-named as Prince Henry's Hospital). In June 1903 Dr Lemon was appointed outpatients' surgeon and pathologist at the Hospital. He provided services there until 1905.

According to Templeton's book about the Homœopathic Hospital:

The Medical Defence Association believed in 1905 that Lemon "had seen the error of his way and had given up homœopathy" although it admitted it had not obtained "any definite recantation of his late homœopathic heresies". Whether or not Lemon definitely recanted at that time is uncertain, but the M.D.A. supported his request for appointment as a local health officer in 1906 and although the story is not entirely clear it seems as if the M.D.A. eventually agreed to welcome him back "as a repentant homœopath".

In 1902 Dr Lemon married Bertha Charlotte Sommers, daughter of William Sommers who had been mayor of Geelong and later mayor of Hawthorn. They were to have two daughters - Nancy and Phyllis.

By 1905 Dr Lemon was so well-respected that Table Talk published an article about him under the heading "The Medical Faculty: Representative Melbourne Medicos". In the article he was described as "one of the most successful of the younger members of the medical profession". "He is a well-known figure in cricket and social clubs."

In 1906 he was listed as being at Eastern Hill, Creswick, while according to the 1907 directory he was a physician at Camp Street, Daylesford. By 1909 he had returned to Melbourne where he practised at Rose Street, Armadale.

Dr Lemon became a specialist in the use of x-rays, establishing a practice in Collins Street in 1910, while continuing his business in Melbourne's suburbs. He also provided lectures for women in the Armadale area on the topic of first aid, in connection with St John Ambulance.

In April 1917, at the age of 45, Dr Lemon joined the Australian Army Medical Corps. According to his military record, he was Presbyterian, 5 ft 7 ins tall, had a 36 - 40 inch chest, was 11 stone 12 pounds and had good eyesight. As Captain Lemon, he served as x-ray specialist to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station in France.

He returned to Australia in December 1918, after which time he resumed his practice. He also became involved with the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia (R.S.S.I.L.A.), helping to organise and provide entertainment for returned servicemen. One of his contributions was a solo called "Jock and His Bluebell" which he had composed while he was on duty in France.

Dr Ferguson moved to Glen Iris, where he was a founding member and vice-president of the Glen Iris Bowling Club. He practised at Glen Iris for about 10 years before moving to Weethalle in the area of West Wyalong, NSW for a couple of years.

In July 1933 Dr Ferguson Lemon announced that he had commenced medical practice at Victoria Street, Hastings, Victoria, opposite the Bush Nursing Hospital.  The house, including the surgery, was located on a very large plot on the corner of Victoria Street and Cool Store Road.  In later years the plot was subdivided at the back and on both sides of the house.  Therefore the place could no longer be described as being on Victoria Street.  Its address is now 8 Cool Store Road, Hastings.

Dr Lemon's House and Surgery in Hastings

Photograph courtesy of Peter Torokfalvy

He had taken over the practice of Dr Edgar Barrett, who had arrived in Hastings in December 1930, soon after the establishment of the Hospital. (The Hastings and District Bush Nursing Hospital had been opened by Lord Somers on 18 July 1930. Local newspapers described it as "the most modern and scientifically equipped hospital this side of Melbourne". ) It appears that previously Dr Barrett had treated patients at a surgery in Melbourne Road (the extension of Salmon Street before it becomes Marine Parade), as Dr Lemon announced in his advertisement that this location would be closed from July 1, and that all future consultations would be provided from his home.

Photograph courtesy of Hastings Historical Society

Dr Lemon also announced that he would visit the surrounding townships: Crib Point and Bittern at 11am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Balnarring, Merricks, Shoreham and Flinders on Tuesdays from 12 to 3 pm; and at Mr Sara's Store in Tyabb on Mondays at 11 am. "Messages left at the respective P.O.'s before 11 am on the day of visits will ensure attendance of Dr Lemon."

On 11 May 1938 the Frankston and Somerville Standard reported that Dr Lemon had accepted an appointment as ship's doctor on an interstate vessel called the Westralia. The Men's Auxiliary of the Hastings Branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. held a farewell social event at the hall, where they enjoyed an evening of dancing and vocal items. Dr Lemon had been president of the committee for 12 months. According to an article in the Standard, several officials "spoke in appreciation of the splendid service that Dr Lemon had given to the branch, and wished him happiness and health in his new position." Dr Lemon was presented with a shaving set and Mrs Lemon with a set of crystal flower vases from the Ladies' Auxiliary.

Brief fame came to Dr Lemon in July 1939 when it was reported that a successful appendix operation was performed on the Westralia's cook. Dr Lemon gave the anaesthetic and the ship's musician also assisted. The operation was performed while the ship was travelling at full speed at night. It was considered that the vessel's speed would minimise the rolling of the ship.

While Dr Lemon was away sailing to various parts of Australia, Mrs Lemon lived with one of her daughters in Hawthorn. It was there that she died on 25 November 1939. Dr Lemon died at the Repatriation Hospital on 31 August 1951.

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