6,795 bytes added,
04:14, 15 November 2015
{{Authority Side}}
== ==
.
== Importance of Insp William Montfort ==
'''Links to the KellyGang''' '''below''', [[#2|Early Years]] , Murders at Stringy Bark Creek , Euroa Robbery , Jerilderie Robbery , Later in 1879 , Early 1880 , Glenrowan Siege , [[#28/6/1880|Later]] , Ned Kelly's Trial , [[#9|Royal Commission]] , [[#10|Early service]] , [[#12|Later service]] , Family ,
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early Years''' I went up to North Eastern Victoria in [[1854-1863 Events|1858]]
In [[1864-1873 Events|1867]] I was promoted Sergeant and left North Eastern Victoria after being the superintendent's clerk, at Benalla and [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]]. During this time I got to know the Kellys and their friends. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 9|RC3172]])
Between [[1864-1873 Events|1870]] and 1872 I was the clerk to the Inspector in charge of police at Wangaratta and was involved in the arrest of the bush ranger [[Harry Power|Harry Power]] with Sup [[Hare|Hare]] and Mr [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]. (See Sup Hare's description of what went on at Harry [[Harry Power|Power]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 14|RC3314]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 17|RC3377]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 15 page 1|RC3492]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 46 page 7|RC15906]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 17|RC16278]])
I had a run in with Const Montgomery at [[Greta|Greta]]. His horse was too fat
I was stationed at Wangaratta while [[Hall|Hall]] was stationed at Greta.
I dont know why the outbreak occured. I have heard the number and the strength of the police at the stations was reduced, and the number of stations was reduced, and that pressure thereby was taken off the criminal classes. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 9|RC3181]])
I left the Kelly Country in March 1872 ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 12|RC3259]])
'''Photograph''' '''Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880'''
'''Later'''
On [[Ned Kelly|Ned Kelly]]'s arrival at North Melbourne station, on 29/6/80 I was in charge. He was placed on a stretcher, and lifted into a waggonette. His removal was to some extent impeded by the crowd which pressed round the van, and was with difficulty kept back. We took him to the [[Melbourne Gaol|Melbourne Gaol]] ([[The Argus (14)|Argus30/6/80]])
I took charge of things at Glenrowan a few days after the siege. ([[Melbourne Daily Telegraph (11)|MDTel3/7/1880]]) ([[The Age (25)|Herald5/7/1880]])
I did not support the appointment of Insp [[O'Connor|O'Connor]] to take charge of the trackers in the Victoria police ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 3|RC11030]])
I am given to understand that Mr. O'Connor's appointment has been proposed, or is about to be made by the Ministerial head of the department, on the recommendation of the permanent head of the department, and it is directly placing me as a subordinate in the position that I am criticising their acts, which I am very much averse to doing. I have no objection to give my opinion; I cannot help holding an opinion. For Mr. O'Connor, I need not tell you for a moment, I have a very great respect; but if you ask my opinion personally as regards whether I consider it would be absolutely indispensable in the present state of affairs to ignore the usage of the service, and incur the dangers arising from setting the police force in a state of ferment over it, I say I do not think the necessity is as great as would warrant the Government in doing anything of the sort, and that is what I mean. I have no personal objection at all to Mr. O'Connor's appointment, not the slightest; but if I am asked my opinion as to the effect on the morale of the force, I consider it will be very deleterious. I do not say the force have a right to have that feeling, but I know as a matter of fact it would have that effect. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 5|RC11058]])
'''Later'''
I had to deal with the demonstrators before [[Ned Kellys End|Ned Kelly]]'s execution ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/11/1880|Argus10/11/80]])
'''Royal Commission''' I gave evidence to the Royal Commission. 3/5/1880 ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 9|RC3186]]), 4/5/1880 ([[Royal Commission report day 15 page 1|RC3490]]), and 9/6/1880 ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 1|RC10989]])
I was recalled and [[Royal Commission report 9/6/1881|continued my evidence]] on 6/9/1881.
See the press reports of my evidence ([[The Argus at KellyGang 4/5/1881|Argus4/5/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 5/5/1881|Argus5/5/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/6/1881|Argus10/6/81]])
I think it is a very unfortunate thing that the article appeared in the Age on 4/5/1881. I thought so when I read it this morning. ([[Royal Commission report day 15 page 4|RC3561]])
I was present at the inquiry to review the Royal Commission's finding on Sgt [[Steele|Steele]]. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 28/3/1882|Argus28/3/82]])
'''Early Service''' My father was a policeman in Ireland ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 13|RC3292]])
I arrived in the Kelly Country in 1858 and left in 1867. I was the superintendent's clerk at Benalla and later at Wangaratta.([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 9|RC3170]])([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 11|RC3237]])
It took me eighteen years to be appointed as an Inspector, and then I was promoted by a fluke. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 5|RC11060]])
At 40 I was the youngest Inspector ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 13|RC3297]])
I am the same age as Sup Hare ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 5|RC11063]])
See the details of my career. ([[Royal Commission report Appendix 6 page 1|RCApp6]])
'''Later Service''' I got involved in plans for a new police satation in the area between the [[King River|King]] and [[Ovens River|Ovens]] Rivers. ([[Royal Commission report Appendix 1 page 1|RC App1]])
In [[ev81-00---Royal Commission|1881]] I got involved in prosecuting John [[John McElroy|McElroy]] in dispute between him and a member of the Quinn family. Cross claim actions like this were common. (RC [[Royal Commission report Appendix 1 page 1|App1]])
I thought that we could do a better job of controlling the population through our management of [[Selectors|selections]].
I took over command of the police in North Eastern Victoria from Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]]. (RC [[Royal Commission report Appendix 1 page 1|App1]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 26/5/1881|Argus26/5/81]])
== Family ==
'''wife''' ?... '''children ?.... home ?..'''
'''What happened to Insp Montfort's family''' KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with L-M]] [[Category:Montfort]] [[Category:Inspector William Montford]] [[Category:Police]] [[Category:history]]
MediaWiki:Sidebar
{{^|Original page location \people\peL_M\montfortWPInsp.html}}