The Clarke Gang

Few people now have heard of the Clarke Gang of bushrangers, but they were the major bushranging gang in NSW. They also, probably with some justification, have the reputation for being the bloodiest bushrangers.

It so happens that they lived near where we had our rural property, though we did not know that when we purchased. They also roamed widely through what now is our local area. So I decided to make a photographic project of places associated with them.

By way of background, Australia in the mid-1800s was moving slowly from its convict origins. The society was very unequal, with wealthy property owners (mainly from the colonial administration) of large areas of land passed inexpensively to them, known as Squatters. Then there were the free settlers (including freed convicts) with few resources and not even the slightest education for their children.

Cattle duffing (rustling) was common, as was horse theft. Fast horses were considered very valuable. As a consequence, many people found themselves on various charges from the police. Some, such as the Clarke brothers, John and Tom, and various of their family and friends, took to bushranging. This involved not just the theft of money, but also of clothing and food which was distributed among their local community supporters. Their targets ranged from unwary travellers to country homesteads and even small townships.

Eventually things went astray, following the killing of Constable O'Grady at Nerrigundah in April 1866. That led to some of the main players being declared outlaws. The police presence was increased, though the gang still succeeded in their raid on Mudmelong where the police came off badly.

The next development was the appointment of bounty hunters with official approval, under the title of "Special Constables", who arrived in October 1866. They first tried to pretend they were surveyors, but everybody knew their real purpose.

Not long after their arrival, their camp was 'shot up". Ignoring that warning, they started to arrest the friends and family of the bushrangers in late 1866. Almost all later escaped conviction.

In January 1867, possibly working on a tip-off, the 'Special Constables' went looking for the Clarkes in the hills south of Braidwood. It was a fatal error and they were ambushed and killed.

The reward for the capture of the Clarke brothers was increased, as was the number of police in the area. Finally the police were told where to find the Clarkes and surrounded the hut they were staying in. There followed a six hour shootout, with the Clarkes finally surrendering when police reinforcements arrived.

They were taken back to Braidwood and photographed. Then it was down the range to the coast, where they were kept chained to a tree overnight until the coastal steamer arrived next day. They then were taken to Sydney where they were tried, found guilty and executed.

Few people now have heard of the Clarke Gang of bushrangers, but they were the major bushranging gang in NSW. They also, probably with some justification, have the reputation for being the bloodiest bushrangers.

It so happens that they lived near where we had our rural property, though we did not know that when we purchased. They also roamed widely through what now is our local area. So I deci…  (read more)

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