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List of Victorian police in the Eureka Rebellion

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

This is an incomplete list of Victorian police that took part in the 1851-1854 Eureka Rebellion on the Victorian goldfields. As their status indicates, not all were present at the Battle of the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat on 3 December 1854. The article is presently being expanded and revised.

Background[edit]

Main article: Eureka Rebellion
Further information: Battle of the Eureka Stockade

The Victorian colonial police force of the 1850s operated as an armed paramilitary gendarmerie where troopers and police were garrisoned at central locations, such as the government camp in Ballarat, and there was no interaction with the civilian population. To cope with the expansion of the mining industry, the Victorian government resorted to recruiting at least 130 former convicts from Tasmania who were prone to brutal means. They would get a fifty per cent commission from all fines imposed on unlicensed miners and sly grog sellers. Plainclothes officers enforced prohibition, and those involved in the illegal sale of alcohol were initially handed 50-pound fines. There was no profit for police from subsequent offences, that were instead punishable by months of hard labour. This led to the corrupt practice of police demanding blackmail of 5 pounds from repeat offenders.[1][2][3] By January 1853, there were 230 mounted police throughout Victoria. By 1855, the number had risen to 485, including nine mounted detectives.[4]

Victorian police in the Eureka Rebellion[edit]

Main article: James Scobie
Charles Doudiet's sketch of the burning of Bentley's Hotel, entitled Eureka Riot 17th October (1854)
The Eureka Flag fragments donated by the family of Constable John King to the Art Gallery of Ballarat
Eureka Stockade Riot by J.B. Henderson (1854)

In October 1854, the murder of gold miner James Scobie outside the Eureka Hotel in Ballarat, along with the prosecution of Johannes Gregorius, was the beginning of the end for those opposed to physical force in the mining tax protest movement. A discredited colonial inquest found no evidence of culpability by the Bentley Hotel owners for the fatal injuries amid allegations that Magistrate D'Ewes had a conflict of interest presiding over a case involving the prosecution of Bentley, said to be a friend and indebted business partner.[5][6]

Gregorius, a physically disabled servant who worked for Father Smyth of St Alipius chapel, was subjected to police brutality and false arrest for licence evasion, even though he was exempt from the requirement.[7] On 15 October, a mass meeting of predominantly Catholic miners took place on Bakery Hill in protest over the treatment of Gregorius. Two days later, amid the uproar over the acquittal, a meeting of approximately 10,000 men occurred near the Eureka Hotel in protest. Gold receiver John Green initially tried to read the riot act but was too over-awed. The hotel was set alight as Rede was pelted with eggs. The available security forces were unable to restore order.[8][9]

Foot police reinforcements arrived in Ballarat on 19 October 1854, with a further detachment of the 40th (2nd Somersethire) Regiment of Foot a few days behind. On 28 November, the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot arrived to reinforce the government camp in Ballarat. By the beginning of December, the police contingent at Ballarat had been surpassed by the number of soldiers from the 12th and 40th regiments.[10][11] The strength of the various units in the government camp was: 40th regiment (infantry): 87 men; 40th regiment (mounted): 30 men; 12th regiment (infantry): 65 men; mounted police: 70 men; and the foot police: 24 men.[12]

There were no known casualties among the Victorian police contingent who led the way over the top as the forlorn hope in a bayonet charge at the Eureka Stockade. George Webster, the chief assistant civil commissary and magistrate, testified in the 1855 Victorian high treason trials that upon entering the stockade, the besieging forces "immediately made towards the flag, and the police pulled down the flag".[13] John King testified, "I took their flag, the southern cross, down – the same flag as now produced."[14] In his report dated 14 December 1854, Captain John Thomas mentioned "the fact of the Flag belonging to the Insurgents (which had been nailed to the flagstaff) being captured by Constable King of the Force".[15] King had volunteered for the honour while the battle was still raging.[16] W. Bourke, a miner residing about 250 yards from the stockade, recalled that: "The police negotiated the wall of the Stockade on the south-west, and I then saw a policeman climb the flag pole. When up about 12 or 14 feet the pole broke, and he came down with a run".[17]

Foot police

Name Rank Birth year Birthplace Status Legacy and notes Ref(s)
Thomas Atkins CON unknown unknown survivor Atkins was with the foot police at the Eureka Stockade [18][19]
Wiliam Barry CON c.1833 unknown survivor His obituaries published in the Hobart Mercury (5 May 1898) and the Goulburn Evening Penny Post (5 May 1898) mention that he was a police orderly at the Eureka Stockade. [20]
Robert Calvin SGT unknown unknown survivor? Calvin was a sergeant of police in 1854. May have been at the Eureka Stockade. [21]
Charles Carter SI 1813 unknown survivor Carter was a sub-inspector in the foot police at the Eureka Stockade [22]
Hussey Chomley SI unknown unknown survivor Chomley was a sub-inspector and second in command of a police detachment kept in reserve at the Eureka Stockade on 3 December 1854 [23]
Michael Costelloe CON unknown unknown survivor? Costello was a constable at Ballarat during the rebellion. Along with William Scharlach and John Dougherty, he was present when James Bentley was first interviewed by the police. Costello also gave evidence at the subsequent inquest into the death of James Scobie. He was questioned about a private meeting between Bentley and magistrate John D'Ewes during the former's trial. [24]
Gordon Evans INS unknown unknown not present Evans was an inspector of police at Ballarat during the Eureka Rebellion. He was present at the public meeting on 17 October 1854. When called as a witness to the board of inquiry into the burning of Bentley's Hotel, Evans felt that the riot act should have been read. However, he was also worried that using force might only worsen the situation by using force and lead to loss of life. He testified that Henry Westoby helped to set fire to the Eureka Hotel and then again at the 1855 Victorian high treason trials. [25]
Thomas Crowther SGT unknown unknown survivor? Crowther was a police sergeant who was present when the Eureka Hotel was burned. He testified that he saw Andrew McIntyre enter the bowling alley belonging to John Emery and tear down wallpaper that was used by the arsonists to kindle the fire. [26]
Robert Evans INS unknown unknown not present Evans was appointed police inspector of Ballarat In February 1854. He was there to take the wounded Henry Powell's statement at the Albion Hotel after the battle. [27]
Henry Foster INS unknown unknown survivor? Foster was a police inspector in Ballarat in 1854. [28]
Samuel Stackpole Furnell SI unknown unknown survivor Furnell was a sub-inspector and served with the foot police at the Eureka Stockade on 3 December 1854. [29]
George Fraser CON unknown unknown survivor Fraser was with the foot police at the Eureka Stockade [30]
Joseph Glover CON unknown unknown survivor? Glover was a constable stationed at the Ballarat government camp in late November 1854. [31]
John Hagherty CON unknown unknown survivor? Hagerty was a police constable in Ballarat in 1854. [32]
Benjamin Hawkshaw SGT unknown unknown survivor? Hawkshaw was a police sergeant in Ballarat in 1854. He gave evidence against alleged Eureka Hotel arsonist Andrew McIntyre. [33]
George King SGT unknown unknown survivor King was a sergeant with the foot police at the Eureka Stockade. He was involved in apprehending Jacob Sorenson, who was later among the thirteen rebel prisoners put on trial for high treason. [34]
John King CON 1830 Tumurah, County Down, Ireland survivor King was with the foot police at the Eureka Stockade. He volunteered to capture the Eureka Flag while the battle was still raging. The flag pole when King was about 12 or 14 feet in the air.[17] He became a farmer after the high treason trials and exhibited the specimen at shows before his widow donated it to the Art Gallery of Ballarat for preservation in 1895. [35]
Ladislaus Kossak SI 1828 Wisnicz, Poland survivor Kossak was a police sub-inspector at the Eureka Stockade. He commanded the 70 Victorian police alongside Samuel Furnell, Thomas Langley, and Hussey Chomley. [36]
Robert McLister SGT unknown unknown survivor? McLister was a police sergeant at Ballarat in 1854. In 1858, he was a gold miner living in Geelong, the year his wife, Catherine Fenton of County Donegal, Ireland, died. [37]
Thomas Milne SGT unknown unknown survivor Milne was a police sergeant at the Eureka Stockade. At the time of the battle, he had been posted to Ballarat for about four months. [38]
Robert Milne SGM unknown unknown not present Milne was a sergeant major with the foot police at Ballarat in October and November 1854. He was suspected of accepting bribes from sly grog sellers on the goldfields. It was resolved at a meeting of the Ballarat Reform League that Milne be removed on the grounds that he had perjured himself before the board of enquiry into the burning of the Eureka Hotel and the death of James Scobie. He was the fourth witness to appear on 3 November 1854. A week later, Milne was recalled to clarify a few matters. Lieutenant Governor Charles Hotham dismissed him on 20 November 1854. [39]
Henry Moore SI unknown unknown survivor? Moore was a sub-inspector of police at Ballarat in 1854. On 30 November 1854, Moore witnessed Chapman point a pistol at some troopers and gave orders that he be taken into custody. [40][41]
? Nugent CON unknown unknown survivor? Nugent was a police constable accused of wrongdoing by Thomas Llewellyn in late 1854. [42]
James Pepper CON unknown unknown survivor? Pepper was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. [43]
Andrew Peters CON unknown Denmark not present Peters is referred to by Raffaello Carboni as a spy who was embedded in the Eureka Stockade garrison. He testified before the Ballarat bench against Carboni, who he said had been drilling the rebel volunteers. Peters positively identified John Joseph and Timothy Hayes at the committal hearings. He also stated that he saw John Manning drilling on 30 November and 1 December 1854. [44]
Robert Pulley CON unknown unknown survivor? Pulley was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. He was present at the burning of the Eureka Hotel. [45]
John Sadlier SI unknown Ireland not present Sadlier was a sub-inspector of police at Ballarat in 1854. In his 1898 memoirs, he recalls being at the police headquarters in Flinders Street, Melbourne, on the day of the battle. Sadlier recalls his concern as small crowds gathered nearby as news of the armed uprising reached the capital. He was involved in the hunt for the Kelly gang in 1878-1880. As a police superintendent, he was in command for part of the siege at Glenrowan, where Ned Kelly was captured. [46]
William Scharlach CON unknown unknown survivor? Scharlach was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. He was present along with Michael Costello at the initial police interrogation of James Bentley. Scharlach was questioned by the board of enquiry into the burning of the Eureka Hotel about Bentley having a private meeting with magistrate John D'Ewes during the former's trial. [47]
Peter Henry Smith INS unknown County Mayo, Ireland survivor? Smith was a police inspector in Ballarat in 1854. He was a friend of John King and may have taken part in the battle. [48]
William Thompson CON 1826 Coupar Angus, Perthshire, Scotland survivor? Thompson was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. He testified against Henry Westoby at his trial over the burning of the Eureka Hotel. [49]
Robert Tulley CON unknown unknown survivor? Tulley was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. He testified against Raffaello Carboni at the high treason trials. Tulley was also a witness in the inquest into the death of Mary Buchanan in 1854. He was a signatory to the Benden S Hassell compensation petition in 1855. [50]
Edward Viret SGT unknown unknown survivor? Viret was a police sergeant at the Eureka Stockade. He testified at the board of enquiry into the burning of the Eureka Hotel and the committal hearings in the high treason trials. [51]
Michael Wigley CON unknown unknown survivor? Wigley was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. [52]
Thomas Wood CON unknown unknown survivor? Wood was a police constable at Ballarat in 1854. He testified at the trial of Albert Hurd following the burning of the Eureka Hotel. [53]
Maurice Frederick Ximenes SI 1817 unknown survivor Ximenes was a sub-inspector with the police at the Eureka Stockade. He was present at the burning of the Eureka Hotel. He ordered some of his subordinates to hide inside the hotel and lent his horse to John Bentley so he could flee the scene. On 30 November 1854, Ximenes led the final provocative licence inspection four days before the fall of the Eureka Stockade. Inspector Henry Foster said it would be dangerous for Ximenes to be "seen alone on the diggings". John Sadleir wrote that Ximenes was also less than popular in the government camp. On one occasion, he went a few hundred yards from his tent, and when he returned, the sentry asked for the password, which Ximenes did not know. When the sentry persisted, Ximenes ran into his tent and drove his bayonet into a nearby tent pole behind him. Sadlier states, "it was all a bit of spite, but the police officer took good care in the future to learn the password. [54]

Mounted police

Name Rank Birth year Birthplace Status Legacy and notes Ref(s)
John Badcock TPR unknown unknown survivor Badcock was with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. Later gave evidence against James Beattie, Raffaello Carboni, and Phillips at the 1855 Victorian High Treason trials. [55][56]
Thomas Conboy TRP unknown unknown survivor? Conboy may have served with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade [57]
John Concritt TRP unknown unknown survivor Concritt served with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. In February 1855, he testified at the trial of Raffaello Carboni. [58]
John Culkin TPR unknown unknown survivor Culkin served with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. During the battle, he struck John Phelan with the flat of his sword. [59][60]
Henry Downing TRP unknown Canada survivor His obituary published in the Melbourne Herald, 3 April 1917 edition, mentions that he was a Canadian who was with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. When in the reminiscent mood, he would relate his many stirring memories of the Stockade". He was the brother of Sir George Downing of the British Royal Navy. [61]
John Gillman SGT unknown unknown wounded Gillman was a sergeant in the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. He testified at Bryant's committal hearing that he took him prisoner after a struggle where Gillman sustained a wound to his head by a sword. [62]
William Graham SGT unknown unknown survivor? Graham testified at the committal hearings that he was a sergeant of the mounted police at Ballarat on 30 November 1854 when a crowd of miners began throwing stones at the police, and a miner named Chapman aimed a pistol at him that was later found to be loaded. [63][64]
Gerald De Courcy Hamilton LT 1828 Florence, Italy survivor Hamilton was a lieutenant and adjutant of the gold-mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. [65]
James Langley SI unknown unknown survivor Langley was a sub-inspector with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. [66][67][68]
Thomas Langley SSI unknown unknown survivor Langley was a senior sub-inspector of the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. He was involved in the arrest of Timothy Hayes at 2:30 am on the day of the battle about 300 yards away from the stockade. He testified at the committal hearings of Hayes and John Joseph. Langley then appeared in the high treason trials, where Hayes was one of the defendants. [69]
Michael Lawler SGT unknown unknown survivor Lawler was a sergeant with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. He was present during the burning of Bentley's Hotel on 17 October 1854, later giving testimony implicating Henry Westoby. Lawler charged the flank of the stockade, and it is believed he shot and wounded Peter Lalor. [70]
James Lord TRP unknown unknown survivor? Lord was the trooper responsible for the arrest of Johannes Gregorius for not having a mining licence, even though, as the disabled servant of the Catholic priest Patrick Smyth, he was exempt from the requirement. This caused outrage among the Catholic population in the lead-up to the armed uprising. [71]
William Nevil TRP unknown unknown survivor? Neville was with the mounted police at Ballarat in 1854. He testified that on 30 November 1854, he saw Chapman with a cocked pistol. Neville asked him to drop the pistol or be shot, and Champman complied. [72]
William Nolan SGT unknown unknown survivor? Nolan was a sergeant with the mounted police at Ballarat in 1854. He was present during the burning of the Eureka Hotel, later giving evidence implicating Henry Westoby. In the lead-up to the battle, Nolan served as an undercover agent. [73]
Michael O'Brien TRP? c.1835 County Wicklow, Ireland wounded His obituary in the Hamilton Spectator mentions that O'Brien was at the Eureka Stockade. He was shot in the leg and probably served as a trooper with the mounted police. [74][75]
Edward Preece TRP unknown unknown survivor Preece was with the mounted police at the Eureka Stockade. It is said that he was involved in the wrongful death of non-combatant Arthur Akehurst. [76]
Henry Wright TRP unknown unknown survivor? Wright was a trooper in the mounted police at Ballarat in 1854. He was present at the burning of the Eureka Hotel and later testified against Albert Hurd. [77]

Others

Name Rank Birth year Birthplace Status Legacy and notes Ref(s)
Gartner ? unknown unknown unknown survivor? — [78]
Henry Goodenough DET 1829 Hanham, near Bristol, England not present Goodenough acted as a government spy agent during the Eureka Rebellion, attending many gatherings dressed in plain clothes and later appearing as a crown witness in the high treason trials. [79]
? Wendon unknown unknown unknown survivor? His obituary published in the Brisbane Telegraph, 18 June 1894 edition, mentions that Wendon was with the police at Ballarat during the armed uprising. [80]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Clark 1987, p. 67.
  2. ↑ Barnard 1962, p. 260.
  3. ↑ "Alcohol on the Goldfields". Sovereign Hill. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  4. ↑ Blake 2009, p. 75.
  5. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 151.
  6. ↑ Carboni 1855, pp. 39-40.
  7. ↑ Carboni 1855, pp. 38-39.
  8. ↑ MacFarlane 1995, pp. 192-193.
  9. ↑ Bate 1978, p. 59.
  10. ↑ Thomas, John Wellesley (3 December 1854). Captain Thomas reports on the attack on the Eureka Stockade to the Major Adjutant General (Report). Public Record Office Victoria. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2022. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  11. ↑ "SERIOUS RIOT AT BALLAARAT". The Argus (2357). Melbourne. 28 November 1854. p. 4. Retrieved 13 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ Withers 1999, p. 111.
  13. ↑ The Queen v Joseph and others, 35 (Supreme Court of Victoria 1855).
  14. ↑ "Continuation of the State Trials". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 5 March 1855. p. 3. Retrieved 17 November 2020 – via Trove.
  15. ↑ Thomas, John Wellesley (14 December 1854). Capt. Thomas' report – Flag captured (Report). Colonial Secretary's Office. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via Public Record Office Victoria. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  16. ↑ FitzSimons 2012, p. 477.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 66-67.
  18. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 22.
  19. ↑ "Thomas Atkins - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  20. ↑ "William Barry - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  21. ↑ "Robert Calvin - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  22. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 107-108.
  23. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 114-115.
  24. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 127.
  25. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 195-196.
  26. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 134.
  27. ↑ "Robert Evans - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  28. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 209.
  29. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 212-213.
  30. ↑ "George Fraser - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  31. ↑ Blake 2009, p. 34.
  32. ↑ "John Hagherty - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  33. ↑ "Benjamin Hawkshaw - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  34. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 306.
  35. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 66-67, 307.
  36. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, pp. 313-314.
  37. ↑ "Robert McLister - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  38. ↑ "Thomas Milne - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  39. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 377.
  40. ↑ "Henry Moore - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  41. ↑ "William Nevil - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  42. ↑ "Constable Nugent - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  43. ↑ "James Pepper - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  44. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 424.
  45. ↑ "Robert Pulley - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  46. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 458.
  47. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 461.
  48. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 478.
  49. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 505.
  50. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 511.
  51. ↑ "Edward Viret - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  52. ↑ "Michael Wigley - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  53. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 552.
  54. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 556.
  55. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 23.
  56. ↑ "Thomas Atkins - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  57. ↑ "Thomas Conboy - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  58. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 124.
  59. ↑ Blake 2009, p. 37.
  60. ↑ "John Culkin - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  61. ↑ "Henry Downing - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  62. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 220.
  63. ↑ https://eurekapedia.org/William_Graham_(1)
  64. ↑ The Argus, 20 January 1855.
  65. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 245-246.
  66. ↑ Blake 2009.
  67. ↑ "James Langley - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  68. ↑ Oakleigh Leader, 15 December 1894.
  69. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 323.
  70. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 326.
  71. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 336.
  72. ↑ "William Nevil - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  73. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 400.
  74. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 406.
  75. ↑ "Michael O'Brien - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  76. ↑ "Edward Preece - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.
  77. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 553.
  78. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named police
  79. ↑ Corfield, Wickham & Gervasoni 2004, p. 227-228.
  80. ↑ "Wendon - eurekapedia". www.eurekapedia.org.

Bibliography[edit]

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