|
|
 |
| |
|
“As
a matter of fact, Joe had the best made suit. Joe's suit was strapped
at the sides, unlike, the rest of the gang, Joe's was like a T-Shirt,
you had to slip it over your head, put your arms through, and then
poke your head out of the top. It must have been a hard task to remove
the armour, especially from Joe's dead corps”
- |
|
|
|
Joe's armour, has seen many public displays, exhibitions, and more
importantly, a bitter gun battle, at Glenrowan on June 28th 1880. Now
Joe Online will try to explain, how, when and why the armour, has been
in so many places.
--------------------------------------------------------
During the vicious siege of Glenrowan, Superintendent Hare was
seriously wounded in his left wrist, the Clarke family, who at the
time lived in Glenrowan, Hare, gave Joe's armour to the family as a
token of his thanks, for looking after him, and his wound, until a
train could arrive to drive him back to Benalla.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The humorous thing is that, Hare at the time didn't know, 122
years later, Joe's armour would be worth over one million dollars!
Read on as I hope to answer, the questions you have about the Byrne
armour.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was the armour made from?
Joe's armour was made from mouldboards, it was donated and stolen
by the gang, and over 30 pieces were used to make the four sets. Joe
was heavily involved with the making of the suits as 'Larrikin Heal'
boot marks were found at the site of the stolen mouldboards, Joe was
renowned for wearing 'Larrikin Heal" boots.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How was the armour made?
The armour, was more than likely forged over a green log. The log
was green because, it would not ignite over the heat of the
mouldboards. Have you ever tried to have, possibly a camp fire? you
would know not to put something green on the fire; it won't ignite.
Also, placing half of the mouldboard into water, deadens the sound, of
deep clanking, makes a flat 'bonk'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Where did the armour idea come from?
Well, quite possibly the armour idea came from, Ned's favorite
book, Lorna Doone. As a section in the book states: |
" Reckless how they bore their guns, sit their horses, with
iron plates, on breast and head "
|
|
Another idea may have
come from our Joe, Joe wa s
a regular visitor to the Burke Museum, in Beechworth, which opened in
1873. On display at the permanent Museum, is a set of Chinese warrior
armour. Whether either of these ideas were a part of, no one knows.
-------------------------------------------------
Where was it made?
Tom Lloyd virtually the fifth member of the Kelly gang, claims the
armour was made over the bald hills, behind the Kelly homestead. Other
rumors are, different Black smiths, but one thing is certain, Ned's
was the prototype and was
tested by a Martini Rifle, dropped at the Kelly Homestead, by Robert
Graham, Graham, was to become, the policeman at Greta, after the
outbreak had ended. Graham, diffused a second outbreak, by giving the
people who were on 'the black list' back their land titles, allowing
them to purchase land in the north east again.
-------------------------------------------------
Was the armour effective?
Yes, the armour was extremely effective. After the testing with
Graham's rifle, 800 yards, protected, the bullet only made a long
tunneling dent. Though Joe didn't like the armour idea, which points
to our first question; Ned's Lorna Doone was more than likely the
fuse, to the idea. A fantastic exchange between Ned and Joe inside the
Glenrowan Inn, recorded perfectly by Constable Phillips, sworn to the
1881 royal police commission that he heard the exchange between Joe
and Ned. In the fast conversation, the conversation is as follows:
"Is that you, Joe?"
"Yes, is that you Ned? Come Here "
"Come here be damned. What are you doing there? Come with me and load
my rifle. I'm cooked "
"So am I. I think my legs broke "
"Leg be damned. You got the use of your arms. Come on. Load for me.
I'll pink the buggars "
"Don't be so exited the boys'll hear us and it'll dishearten them.
Ned paused.
"I am afraid it's the case with us this time "
"Well it's your fault; I always said this bloody armour would bring us
grief "
"Don't you believe it. Old Hare is cooked and we'll soon finish the
rest "
------------------------------------------------
So as you can see Joe didn't fancy the armour idea. But probably went
along with it.
------------------------------------------------
Who had the best made suit?
As a matter of fact, Joe had the best made suit. Joe's suit was
strapped at the sides, unlike, the rest of the gang, Joe's was like a
T-Shirt, you had to slip it over your head, put your arms through, and
then poke your h ead out of the top. It must have been a hard task to
remove the armour, especially from Joe's dead corps.
------------------------------------------------
Where's Joe's suit now?
As I said above, Joe's armour, was given to the Clarke family on
June 28th 1880. Rupert Hammond, now has possession of Joe's armour. It
has been in the family for 122 years (from 2002) as seems to be in
fine shape.
------------------------------------------------
Post your question!
Do you have a Question on the Kelly armour? Send us an email, the
subject box, being your question i.e.: Where's Joe's Armour,
then type your question in the main writing section, and hit send! Your question, and answer will be posted
accordingly.
Post a question.
--------------------------------------------------------
|
| |
|
| |
|
