Const W Phillips

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Side of Authority
This page contains content from police and those who supported authority.
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Importance of Const Phillips (2746)

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

Links to the KellyGang

Murders at Stringy Bark Creek 26/10/1878 I was at the Richmond barracks at the time. (RC15497) Photograph Hare replaced by Nicolson 6/7/1879 I arrived in the area on 12/6/1879 and was stationed at Benalla. (RC11285)

In July Ass Com Nicolson started regular rifle practice for the officers stationed at Benalla.

Mr. Nicolson said that I never having fired a gun in his life. See my scores (RC1014)

I spent most of my time in the depot and could not go out on patrol. (RC11299)

I was guarding the banks in the town of Benalla; there were two of us doing that. (RC11384)

Spring 1879 Early 1880 On one occasion, in about April 1880 I met Sup Hare at the Richmond depot. I was a horse-clipper, and came to the depot for the purpose of clipping the horses there.

Hare said to me, "Well, Phillips, you have not caught the Kellys yet,". I was clipping a horse at the ime and I said, "No; the Kellys have never been into the Benalla police station yet. I have been up there about twelve or thirteen months, and I have never yet been two miles out of Benalla; there has not been a party out searching for the Kellys since you left." (RC1598)

. Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880

27/6/1880

I started to get ready to catch the special train in Benalla at about 3pm on the 27/6/1880(RC8030)

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

We left Benalla at about 1.30am. I had a Martini-Henry rifle.

Arrive at Glenrowan

I arrived at Glenrowan by train at about 2.30 am on the morning of the siege with Sup Hare.

When the train was stopped by Mr Curnow, Consts Barry, Gascoigne and I went from this train to the pilot engine, which was perhaps a quarter of a mile ahead (RC7774.7357)

Begining of the siege

I was one of the first through the gate to confront the KellyGang.

I was near SConst Kelly and about 5 to 10 yards to Sup Hare's left when he was shot. Consts Barry and Gascoigne were there alongside of me. (RC8076) (RC11289) (See also RC7774.7367)

I fired one shot straight at the figure that was in front of the Inn, and then got behind a tree just opposite the verandah. There was a bush fire the other side of the house, and I could see three figures plainly, and I fired about four shots at them during the encounter, and I was surprised that none fell at about forty yards distance, so I fired a couple of shots low, and they walked off at once inside, and the figure that came out the second time fired about six shots, and Gascoigne said, "That is Ned Kelly, I know his voice." (RC11314)

When SConst Kelly first made his rounds after we had been told to spead out, I was near Consts Arthur and Gascoigne on the Benalla side. (RC8143) See also (RC6640)

I was asked whether I received any orders from any one else apart from Sup Hare during the forenoon (RC11340)

Neil McHugh came out of the hotel, carrying Mrs. Jones's boy on his back. Const Gascoigne was alongside of me. We said to one another quietly, "If this man does not come our way, we will not speak to him." We were right across and could see right across the verandah.

We thought it was two of the KellyGang clearing out, come on and decided to stop them. We ran down to the gate and he would not stop, and one of us threatened to shoot him, and then he came back.

McHugh told us the KellyGang had armour and there were thirty or forty in the house. (RC11307)

After I challenged McHugh I went round and told SConst Kelly about the armour. SConst Kelly was concerned that the KellyGang had got away.He said, "My God ! they have all got away." I said, "Never fear, they are in the house;" and I said, "I stopped a man who told me all about the armour that came out of the hotel," and SConst Kelly stationed me at a tree at the back of the Inn. He showed me the spot where he had found Ned Kelly's rifle.

I stopped there at the rear northern end from about a quarter to four to six, and then I challenged the Wangaratta police when they arrived at Jones's Inn. (RC11317)

The first thing I heard was Steele challenging somebody and firing, and then I heard a woman (Mrs Reardon) screaming; and with that she and her children were in the from the front of the Inn. Several shots came up. Every one could see she was a women , it was bright moonlight. I was on Sgt Steele right when he went to shoot Mrs Reardon. I may have made a remark to him about a feather. I was annoyed at him shooting at women (RC11319)

(RC11126) (Argus29/3/82)

Arrival of Sup Sadleir and police from Benalla

When I saw Sup Sadleir it was about half-past eight or nine, and I went to him. He was down by the railway fence, and I asked him what he was going to do, that the men had armour; and he said he had heard that, but he had sent for a cannon to Melbourne. (RC11372)

Capture of Ned Kelly

I saw Ned Kelly. Montiford, Healey, Kelly, Arthur, and I and Sgt Steele were near by when Ned Kelly came back to the Inn. I took four or five shots at Ned Kelly before I left the tree (RC11396) see also (RC10349)

Sup Sadeir asked me to get on a horse and ride down to Benalla, and take another telegram. The engine was going down, and I went with it and came back at twelve. (RC11373)

Lunch time

When I returned there was nothing to be done. I went back to the back of the Inn. I was among my mates.

I did not see any shooting or movement from the Inn.

Burning of Jones's Inn

I stayed there until we were told off to fire into the front of the house, when it was set fire to.(RC11374)

Sadleir reported to the Commissioner of Police about my efforts at the siege .(Argus20/7/80)

See also the Royal Commission's comment on my role (RC2nd reportXV).

Inquest

I gave evidence at the inquest into the death of Martin Cherry. (Age 1/7/80)(Argus 1/7/80)

Kelly Reward Board Following the meetings of the Reward Board in December 1880 it was recommended that I recieve a reward of about £137

Royal Commission I gave evidence to the Royal Commission on 9/6/1881. (RC11248)

What did the press have to say about my evidence (Argus10/6/81)

Early Service Later Service I left Victoria by early 1882 (Argus30/3/82)

Family

wife ?... children ?.... home ?..

What happened to Const Phillips' family KellyGang