The hostage who made sure Ned Kelly survived his last stand
June 29, 2024 9:43 PM Subscribe
"If you shoot him, I'll shoot you": The hostage who made sure Ned Kelly survived his last stand. Constable Hugh Bracken, who insisted the infamous bushranger be captured alive, has been shunned by history. Now there's a push to honour his actions.
The song that tamarack is referencing.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:06 PM on June 29 [2 favorites]
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:06 PM on June 29 [2 favorites]
Reading the post summary, I guessed that Ned Kelly must have killed police officers, because here in the 21st century people who shoot cops aren't arrested: they're summarily executed in the street.
and signed up for the third time after the Kelly Gang murdered three police officers at Stringybark Creek on October 26, 1878.
Plus ca change.
According to the Greta Cemetery Trust's historical account, Bracken was shunned by the police force after the siege for preventing his superior officer from killing Kelly.
And this is why we say ACAB: because if you're police who do the right thing, you don't stay police very long.
posted by AlSweigart at 1:58 AM on June 30 [8 favorites]
and signed up for the third time after the Kelly Gang murdered three police officers at Stringybark Creek on October 26, 1878.
Plus ca change.
According to the Greta Cemetery Trust's historical account, Bracken was shunned by the police force after the siege for preventing his superior officer from killing Kelly.
And this is why we say ACAB: because if you're police who do the right thing, you don't stay police very long.
posted by AlSweigart at 1:58 AM on June 30 [8 favorites]
A memorial to Constable Bracken does not qualify for funding from the Victoria Police Historical Graves Committee because he is not on the honour roll.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation only provides funding to honour the memories of those who died in the line of duty.
I mean, fine, but that does rule out people who acted with honour and were drummed out of the service for it….
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:42 AM on June 30 [2 favorites]
The Blue Ribbon Foundation only provides funding to honour the memories of those who died in the line of duty.
I mean, fine, but that does rule out people who acted with honour and were drummed out of the service for it….
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:42 AM on June 30 [2 favorites]
I mean, fine, but that does rule out people who acted with honour and were drummed out of the service for it….
Eh, selectively enforcing rules is the hallmark of policing. They should honor Constable Bracken: rule him back in.
posted by AlSweigart at 5:37 AM on June 30
Eh, selectively enforcing rules is the hallmark of policing. They should honor Constable Bracken: rule him back in.
posted by AlSweigart at 5:37 AM on June 30
All I know about the Kelly gang I learned from Yahoo Serious, which is to say probably very little.
posted by funkaspuck at 6:11 AM on June 30
posted by funkaspuck at 6:11 AM on June 30
All I know about the Kelly gang I learned from Yahoo Serious , which is to say probably very little.
Same here, but in my case it was Terry Pratchett.
posted by notoriety public at 7:04 AM on June 30
Same here, but in my case it was Terry Pratchett.
posted by notoriety public at 7:04 AM on June 30
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posted by tamarack at 9:56 PM on June 29 [1 favorite]