The Argus at KellyGang 7/5/1915
THE LONDON "FIFTY"
DEATH OF LAST SURVIVOR
A very interesting link in Victorian police history was severed yesterday through the death of Mr Henry Pewtress, ex-superintendent of police, at his home 173 Drummond street, Carlton . He was the last surviving member of the London "fifty" who came to Victoria in 1852, when the Victorian police force was established. They were drawn from the London police force and were under the command of Superintendent SE Freeman, and comprised a body of men with fine physique and as admirable knowledge of police duties. Mr Pewtress was always known as a strict disciplinarian, and a man with a high sense of duty. In 1876 he was the sub-inspector in charge of Mansfield when they Kelly gang shot Sergeant Kennedy, and constables Scanlon and Lonigan in the King River district. Constable McIntyre alone escaped. He informed the Police at Mansfield , and Sub-Inspector Pewtress took charge of a search Party, but it was not successful in capturing the gang. During the maritime strike he instructed the special constables in the use of the baton. A sergeant at the time of his arrival in Victoria , deceased became sub -inspector in 1858, was promoted to inspector in 1883, and became a superintendent in 1889. He retired on a pension in 1892. During 1878 he received a temporary appointment as inspector of powder magazines on the gold fields. He served under the following chief commissioners: Captain (after Sir) WHF Mitchell, Sir Charles McMahon, Captain Frederick Charles Standish, and Mr Hussey Malone Chomley. Deceased was 88 years of age.
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