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Import from source
{{Authority Side}}
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== Importance of Const Robert Alexander (2766) ==
'''Links to the KellyGang''' '''below''', Early Years , [[#26/10/1878|Murders at Stringy Bark Creek]] , Sebastopol Cavalcade , Euroa Robbery , [[#10/2/1879|Jerilderie Robbery]] , Autum 1879 , [[#6/7/1879|Hare replaced by Nicolson]] , [[#6|Second Cave Party]] , [[#26/6/1880|Death of Aaron Sherritt]] , [[#28/6/1880|Glenrowan Siege]] , Inquest into Sherritt's death , Ned Kelly's Trial , [[#krb|Reward Board]] , [[#9|Royal Commission]] , '''Early service''' , Later service , Family ,
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Murders at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges 26/10/1878''' I arrived in Wangaratta about 4/11/ [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]]; and was one of Insp Brooke [[Brooke Smith|Smith]]'s search party ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 4|RC13059]]) '''Photograph''' '''Jerilderie Robbery 10/2/1879''' In [[events 1879-05/ 1879-07at KellyGang|June 1879]] I was ordered on transfer to [[Milawa|Milawa]]; while there I assisted in guarding [[Oxley|Oxley]] bank and regular police duty ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 5|RC13082]]) '''Hare replaced by Nicolson 6/7/1879''' I was stationed at [[Milawa|Milawa]] at about this time '''Spring 1879 and Early 1880''' '''Cave Party 12/1879-4/1880'''
I was incharge of the cave party with Consts [[Const Faulkiner|Faulkiner]], [[Const William Canny|Canny]], [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong]], [[Const McColl|McColl]]. [[Const A Alexander|Alexander]], [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Barry]], [[Wangaratta|Cox]], [[Const R McHugh|McHugh]], [[Hagger N|Hagger]], [[Const J Dixon|Dixon]], [[Const A Alexander|Alexander]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 1|RC1717]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 17 page 18|RC5247]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 7|RC5440]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 28|RC13541]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13855]])
The cave party was formed on [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|27/12/1879]] in consequence of the police getting reports about the movements of the '''KellyGang''' that were too old to act upon. The cave party was carried on by four men going out and remaining a week, and being relieved by four others, and coming in and remaining in Beechworth, and then returning to duty.
Before the men were sent out Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] spoke to me. Mr [[O'Connor|O'Connor]], Det [[Ward|Ward]], and SConst [[SConst P Mullane|Mullane]] were all in the office at Beechworth. He told me the object of this cave party, what the object was, and gave the men instructions in writing. He called them each in separately. See my orders ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 28|RC13545]])
The duty was carried on with the assistance of Aaron Sherritt, he going with my men at night-he would go down at night-fall himself, watch there until about eight or nine, when my men and I would come down, and we would all watch Mr Byrne's home.
Our instructions were to remain there till four or five in the morning. We were to leave before daylight, in order that we would not be observed coming away.
The difficulty then arose as to how provisions could be brought out to us; and, in consequence of not being able to light a fire, we had to be supplid with porter, ale, and whisky, preserved meats and fish. We had a couple of spirit lamps in order that we would be able to make a cup of tea in the morning when we came in, without any light being seen.
On the first occasion the police sent out the provisions on pack-horses for a few nights, but it was found that we could not do that long without being noticed by a friend of [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]]'s. He lived alongside the bridge that the pack horse had to cross. Mr [[Patrick Allen|Allen]], the storekeeper who had been supplying the police for ten years to forward the things down to [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Mrs Sherritts]], and they made arrangements with her and one of her daughters and one son for those things to be laid at a certain place for us to collect.([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13855]])
The cave party was called in on the [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|1/4/1880]]. There came in one evening Falkiner, Hagger, Dixon, and McHugh. I saw Hagger on that night, and I said to him, " I am going to Benalla first thing by train, and I will see him." I left at six o'clock for Benalla on the morning of the 2nd.
I was asked by SConst [[SConst P Mullane|Mullane]] to put in a report. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 29|RC13558]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 7|RC5440]])
'''Nicolson replaced by Hare 2/6/1880''' I was part of the police party at Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritts]] place with Consts [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong]], [[Const McColl|McCall]], [[Const Magor|Magor]] and I. I was seen by the others as the leader of the party. ([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 3|RC12127]])
The owner of Aaron Sherritt's hut came about 11 o'clock one morning. He was a foreigner, and he ordered Aaron to clear out. He would not give up possession; then the man said he would go and get the police. He was the original owner of the hut. Aaron took forcible possession of it. While he was there we had a run in with Aaron as we did not want any trouble. Const [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong]] even said, "For God's sake bring the man back here; he will turn us out and we shall be discovered." In the end I lent Aaron the money to pay for the house([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 3|RC12131]])
On [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|19/6/1880]] Sup [[Hare|Hare]] and Det [[Ward|Ward]] paid us a visit at Arron Sherritt's home. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 8|RC13861]])
Det Ward said to Const Duross in Sherritt's home in relation to the two other police "Say they are gone to watch Byrne's"- I lay my life I heard that. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 12|RC13920]])
Hare wanted to be taken down to where we watched Mrs Byrne's home from. I took the lead, and Duross followed, then came Sup Hare. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 10|RC13895]])
behind
The Royal Commission was critical of our work during or time at Aaron Sherritt's ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XIV ( page 20)|RC2nd reportXIV]])
'''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' I was present in the bedroom on the night when Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] shot Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]].
Const [[Const W Duross|Duross]] and [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Barry]] have set out many of the details of what happened. The police party was headed by Const [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong]] and Const [[Const T Dowling|Dowling]] was the other officer present with me.
I was in the bedroom on one side of the calico screen when Joe Byrne shot Aaron Sherritt ([[Royal Commission report day 15 page 13|RC3775]])
Const Armstrong explained what happened the next morning
'''Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880'''
'''Special train leaves Benalla to go to Beechworth - follow up on death of Aaron Sherritt'''
'''Arrival Glenrowan from Beechworth'''
I came to Glenrowan from Beechworth and arrived at about 9am. ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 9|RC2880]])
I did not seem to play a significant role in the events of the day
'''Inquest into Aaron Sherritt's death''' I gave evidence at the Inquest that supported the version of events given by Const [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong]]. ([[The Argus (29)|Argus1/7/80]]) ([[Melbourne Daily Telegraph (6)|MDTel1/7/80]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser (5)|OMA1/7/80]])
How did the press report my evidence. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/7/1881|Argus22/7/81]])
'''Kelly Reward Board'''
Following the meetings of the [[Reward|Reward Board]] in December 1880 I recieved a reward of about £42
'''Royal Commission''' I gave evidence to the Roayl Commission on 20/7/2881 ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 1|RC12995]]), 21/7/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 11|RC13902]])
Det [[Ward|Ward]] had another go at me and what happened at Aaron Sherritt's at about the time I gave evidence before the Royal Commission. It would seem that he wanted to control the Mrs [[Ellen Sherritt|Sherritt]] and Mrs [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Barry]]'s evidence against us to save himself. ([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 10|RC12222]])
I was concerned about some of Mrs [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Barry]]'s evidence. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 23|RC13432]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 29/7/1881|Argus29/7/81]])
The [[Royal Commission|Royal Commission]] made the following finding in relation to me
"10. That the constables who formed the hut party on the night of Aaron Sherritt's murder - viz., Robert Alexander etc - were guilty of disobedience of orders and gross cowardice and be dismissed from the service. " ([[Royal Commission second Report (page 2)|RC2ndReport]])
Later I was stationed at [[Cashel|Cashel]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 9|RC12213]])
After the Royal Commission report came out I was sacked from the police. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 3/3/1882|Argus3/3/82]])
I sent the Chief Secretary my response to the Royal Commission ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1881|Argus16/12/81]])
=== ===
See summary of my views. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 17/12/1881 (2)|Argus17/12/81]])
== Early Service ==
== Later Service ==
I wanted to get back to the police force ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/09/1884|Argus18/9/84]])
== Family ==
'''wife''' ?... '''children ?.... home ?..'''
== What is happened to Const Alexander's family ==
KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with A]] [[Category:Alexander]] [[Category:Const Robert Alexander]] [[Category:Police]] [[Category:Glenrowan]] [[Category:Kelly Gang]] [[Category:history]]
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{{^|Original page location \people\peA\alexanderRPmc.html}}
