Const Hugh Bracken

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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 Hugh Bracken (2228)

Stationed at Glenrowan. Watched Maggie Skillion's place and warned the police at the start of the Glenrowan Siege Links to the KellyGang' , 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 Kellys Trial , Reward Board , Royal Commission, Early service ' , Later service , Family,

Links to the KellyGang

Fitzpatrick Incident 15/04/1878 I was involved in the search for the KellyGang.

Photograph Murders at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges 26/10/1878 I think that I saw the KellyGang cross the Ovens River on 28/10/1878. Sebastopol Cavalcade 7/11/1878 Ass Com Nicolson told the Royal Commission that I tried the beat him as we rushed into Mrs Sherritt's home in our hunt after the KellyGang at Sebastopol. (RC406) see also (RC5705)

My gun went off and that caused a scare. (RC5720) (CHC) Nicolson replaced by Hare 2/6/1880 I arrived at Glenrowan about this time and spent most of my time watching for the KellyGang at Maggie Skillion's home (FH) Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880

Before

I had been watching Maggie Skillion's home and had to go home with gastric flu on !!MISSING, the day before the KellyGang arrived in Glenrowan.

Captured and taken to Jones's Inn

Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne came for me late in the evening of 27/6/1880 when they were taking Curnow and his family home. There had been reports that the KellyGang were in a very emaciated state and asking for food but when I saw them they were stout and well, Dan Kelly had grown into a stout man since he last saw him. (RC1615) See also (RC7618) (FH) (FH) (JJK)

Train Arrives at Glenrowan

I managed to escape when I heard the train arriving at the platform sometime between about 2.30 and 3am.

I arrived at the platform when Sup Hare returned from seeing Mrs Stanistreet. (Argus29/6/1880) (Age29/6/80) (Argus6/7/80) (Argus8/7/80) (RC8051) (RC11550) (FH) (JJK)

Hare was standing about opposite the door where you went to take the tickets on the platform, between that and where Insp O'Connor put me against the wall. O'Connor caught me by the arm, as far as I remember, and Mr. Hare came up and said- "What is up?" or "What is the matter?".

I immediately warned Sup Hare and his party of what was going on at Jones Inn and they went off to meet the KellyGan g. (RC11561)

I was in a very excited condition when I arrived at the platform and run about the verandah posts saying I had escaped death. I told Hare and the others that there were about thirty more prisoners in the Inn. I then suddenly disappeared from the platform, and a minute or two afterwards McWirther heard me ride rapidly down the line on one of the police horses in the direction of Benalla. I then went off to Wangaratta to warn the police there (RC10317)

off to Wangaratta

I grabbed a horse and rode to Wangaratta to warn Sgt Steele and the other police there. (Argus31/3/82) (BWC)

Arrival of Sup Sadleir and police from Benalla

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Capture of Ned Kelly

Most people think that I was responsible for stopping Sgt Steele from shooting Ned Kelly. (Argus11/8/80)

Just before the train arrival I had a conversation with Ned Kelly about justice. (RC7628) .

Release of the civilians

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Burning of Jones's Inn

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Sadleir mentioned my efforts in his report to the Commissioner of Police

After the siege I understand that I will be removed to some other part of the colony. I understand that Richard Hart threatened to roast me like the Kellys. (Age1/7/80)

I gave an interview statement to the Argus(Argus29/6/1880), and Daily Telegraph (DailyTelegraph29/6/80) (OMA6/7/80)

Inquest

I gave evidence at the inquest into the death of Martin Cherry. (Age 1/7/80) (Argus1/7/80)

Ned Kellys trial

On 1/8/1880 Steele, and Const Faulkiner and I were given the task of meeting the train at Newmarket Station and taking Ned Kelly up to Beechworth to attend the committal hearing. While he would not answer any questions he did talk as the train took him back to the scene of his many criminal deeds. (Argus2/8/80)

I was due to give evidence at Ned Kelly's committal hearing. (Age4/8/1880)

My involvement in Ned Kelly's return to Melbourne after his committal hearing in Beechworth (OMA14/8/1880)

Kelly Reward Board Following the meetings of the Reward Board in December 1880 I recieved a reward of £275 and I was recommened for a special reward

Royal Commission The Royal Commission made the following finding in relation to me

"12. That the Commission approve of the action taken by Constable Bracken when imprisoned by the KellyGang in Mrs Jones's hotel, at Glenrowan, and recommend him for promotion in the service. " (RC2ndReport) (JJK)

Why was I not called to give evidence (Argus11/2/82)

Early Service

I joined the Victoria Police in October 1861

posted to the Richmond depot

I left the police for about 12 months in 1866 and left again in 1873

I then worked at the Asylum in Beechworth (OMA29/6/1880) (Herald3/7/1880)

In 1878 I rejoined the police

Later Service

After Glenrowan I went to the police depot in Melbourne and was discharged in May 1883

I shot myself on 22/2/1900' (Argust26/2/1900)

Family

I was born in Drumgague, County Fermanagh, Ireland on the 12/7/1840, to Richard Bracken and Ann Berry. I came to Australia in April 1861 on the Champion of Seas

and died in 1900.

wife 1 Amelia Fanny Ryder, born Fermanagh, Amelia, married in Geelong on the 24/9/1867, daughter of James Ryder and Eleanor (nee Fitzgerald); died March 1884

' children' Richard was born in Beechworth 18/2/1878 (Hugh and Fanny Amelia WRIGHT. Richard being Hugh's fathers name). After Richard completed his schooling he joined the Marines Passed his Masters certificate on the 10/12/1906 He married Francis Jane Isabella Cuthbertson in 1903 Their only child Kathleen Nellie was born in Geelong 1906. Richard died 14/2/1949, Francis 21/6/195, and Kathleen died at Mont Park 18/6/1966.

second wife Emily, daughter of William Morrow and Mary Jane Wright. Emily, married me in 1884 and died in June 1894

children James b 1885, died in France 19/9/1918

What happened to Const Hugh Bracken's family

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