Whelan

Side of Authority
This page contains content from police and those who supported authority.

Importance of Sgt Whelan (1305)

The police sergeant at Benalla who sent Fitzpatrick to arrest the Kellys, also at the siege of Glenrowan

Links to the KellyGang , Early Years , Fitzpatrick Incident , Mansfield Murders , Sebastopol Cavalcade , Euroa Robbery , Jerilderie Robbery , Autum 1879 , Hare replaced by Nicolson , Spring 1879 Early 1880 , Death of Aaron Sherritt , Glenrowan Siege , Ned Kelly's Trial , Reward Board , Royal Commission , Early service , Later service , Family ,

Links to the KellyGang

Early Years Photograph I investigated an attack by Jimmy Quinn in 1865.(Ensign4/10/1872 )

In October 1869 I recieved a complaint from Ah Fook. he alledged that he had been robbed by Ned Kelly.

The case came to court in Benalla on 26/10/69. Ned Kelly gave his version and it was backed up by his two mates. He was not convicted.

I was promoted Sergeant in 1868.

I spent most of my time during the Kelly outrage looking after the police at the Benalla police station.

I was invoved in a case against Mrs Kelly over a saddle (Ensign22/11/1872)

I had been concerned for some time about horse and cattle stealing and in particular the activities of the Greta Mob. To solve this problem I worked with Sgt Steele in Wangaratta to get on top of the problem. Senior police and people like James Whitty were also putting pressure on us to get results

I was in charge of the police at Benalla on 17/9/1877. Const Fitzpatrick had recently arrived in town and he seemed to be making friends with Ned Kelly. I thought that it may be good if we could take people like Ned down a peg or two. That Greta Mob was starting to become a real problem. We were under real pressure to perform.

The next morning Day, Lonigan, Fitzpatrick and I had some real fun getting Ned Kelly from the police cells to the Court House. See also (BWC)

Ned Kelly mentioned this incident in his Cameron Letter, he said:

'...I could not be more sorry for them, with the exception of Lonigan I did not begrudge him what bit of lead he got as he was the beastliest meanest man that I had any account against for him. I could not be more sorry for them, with the exception of Lonigan I did not begrudge him what bit of lead he got as he was the beastliest meanest man that I had any account against for him. Fitzpatrick, Sergeant Whelan, Constable Day and King, the Bootmaker, once tried to hand-cuff me at Benalla and when they could not Fitzpatrick tried to choke me, Lonigan caught me by the privates and would have killed me but was not able. Mr McInnes came up and I allowed him to put the hand-cuffs on when the police were bested.'

Fitzpatrick Incident 15/04/1878 I sent Fitzpatrick to Greta while Const Strahan was on leave for a few days. (RC12830)

I had had to deal with Fitzpatrick on a number of occasions before. He was not a good policeman

After Fitzpatrick returned from Eleven Mile Creek and his run in with the Kellys, he reported to me at about 2am and I sent for Dr Nicolson to clean up Fitzpatrick's wounds

I took Fitzpatrick's statement. (RC5948)

See also the Jerilderie Letter

Euroa Robbery 10/12/1878 Const Anderson came up to Benalla from Euroa on a train and saw me at the telegraph office. He told me about the robbery. I then sent a message to Mr. Nicolson and ordered a special train, and ordered the men - there was but one party on the station -and went with them to the train. (RC5963)

Mr Wyatt came to the Benalla police station at about 9.30pm to see me. (RC5957)

I went to the telegraph office with him where he sent a telegram to Com Standish. I also sent a telegram for Ass Com Nicolson. (RC5960)

I got a telegram from Com Standish telling me about the Euroa robbery about 11.45pm. (RC23)

I arrested William M'Auliffe in Benalla (Argus13/3/79)

Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880

Special train leaves Benalla to go to Beechworth - follow up on death of Aaron Sherritt

I went up to the train at the Benalla railway station with Mr. Hare's party, and saw them away at 2am. on the morning of 28/6/1880, and then returned to the police station. (RC5971)

Arrival of Sup Sadleir and police from Benalla

I arrived at about 5am with Sup Sadleir as his 2nd in charge (RC2880) (RC5972)

We got out of the train, and SConst Kelly and Const Walsh, from Wangaratta, came up and spoke to Mr. Sadleir. He did not come with Sergeant Steele. I may mention Mr. Sadleir asked SConst Kelly how the house was surrounded, and where the men were. (RC5974)

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Later

I forwarded a report on the new aboriginal trackers produced by Const Kirkham for Insp Montfort on 5/6/1881. (RC10998)

Kelly Reward Board Following the meetings of the Reward Board in December 1880 I recieved a reward of about £165

Royal Commission I gave evidence to the Royal Commission on 13/5/1881 (RC5941)

What did the press say about my evidence (Argus16/5/81)

During the Royal Commission Com Standish described me as, ' a most excellent sub-officer'. I think that was high praise bearing in mind his comments about others (RC247)

Early Service I joined the police force in 1856 on the Upper Ovens,( RC5941)

I was promoted Senior constable in 1862

See the details of my career. (RCApp6)

Later In 1911 I lived Melville Street, in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn (BWC)

I died in 1914 (Argus11/5/1914)

Family

wife ... children .... home ..

What happened to Sgt Whelan's family KellyGang