Biographical Details - Life Story
Ned Kelly, full name Edward "Ned" Kelly, was born to an Irish convict father John "Red" Kelly, Beveridge, Victoria in the north of Melbourne, in 1855. He was the first son of Red. When he was a boy, he obtained basic schooling. He had also risked his life to save a boy "Richard Shelton" from drowning. For his brave act, Richard's family rewarded him a green sash, which was worn during his final showdown with the police in 1880 at Glenrowan Inn.
At 14, Ned was suspected and arrested for allegedly assulting a Chinese farmer, in 1869. He was taken to court, then into custody for ten days before being released, the police then started to regard him as a juvenile bushranger. Just a year later, in 1870, he was again arrested, but this time he was accused of being an accomplice to bushranger "Harry Power". However, there were no evidence to back up the accusation, Ned was released after a month.
In October 1870, Ned was arrested for assaulting Jeremiah Cormack, a hawker. He also arrested for sending a letter to Jeremiah's wife, which had calve's testicles enclosed in it. This letter was a result of Jeremiah accusing a friend of Ned's for using his horse without permission. Ben wrote it, gave it to Ned, who passed it to his cousin, who then passed the note on to Jeremiah's childless wife. Because of his act, Ned was charged and sentenced to three months on hard labour for each charge.
Soon after being released, he returned home where he met Isaiah Wright, who told Ned he lost his mare, asked him to find it, as he had to go back to Mansfield. Ned did know that Isaiah's mare was a stolen animal and was owned by Mansfield Postmaster, so Ned used it to go back to town, while Ned was riding through Greta, he was spotted by Constable Hall, who, from the appearance of the animal, recognized the mare as stolen property. Constable Hall's attempt to arrest him turned into a fight, Hall drew his gun, tried to shoot Ned, however he was overpowered and then humiliated by Ned, who rode on him like a horse. He was later arrested, and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, after only an astonishing three weeks of freedom.
Two years later, Jim Kelly was arrested as part of a cattle rustling. However he was still sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. Ned later went on to continue his act in resisting authority, and continued to show his hatred for the police. Some of his notable acts were the The Killings at Stringybark Creek, Bank robberies at Euroa and Jerilderie, and the final shoot out at Glenrowan.
Ned Kelly Portrait
Edward "Ned" Kelly in 1880 portrait of him before his prosecution, at age 25.
Picture taken by Jarrett G. @ State Library of Melbourne. Subject to copyright.
