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Queensland Trackers
Fri Jul 9 01:16:23 2004
Sharon in the USA
There has been something I have been wondering about for the longest time, it is very trivial, but my curiosity is aroused concerning the Queensland contingent. We know that in March 1879 that Sub-Inspector Stanhope O'Connor along with Senior Constable Tom King and the 6 blacktrackers arrived in Victoria to assist with the Kelly hunt. What I want to know is what the heck happened to Constable King? He was not at the siege of Glenrowan. I recall reading somewhere, but can't locate the text which
stated, in so many words, that King did not get along with some of the Victorian troopers and got into trouble for fighting with them and was sent back to Queensland. I find it odd that most texts has him arriving but then he seems to have not been mentioned again. It is like he fell off the face of the earth! Anyone have any idea what did actually happen to him? Could that being sent back home for fighting be true? We know he was actually in Victoria as there is a photo of him with O'Connor and some of the trackers as well as with Standish and Sadleir. See Dave's site for a look at it http://www.glenrowan1880.com/trackers.htm Ok, hope someone can help me out here, or if you can't help, maybe you are now curious, too!
Sharon in the USA
Thanks for the email you sent Tim, I now a timeframe for King's departure. I am limited in what books I can reference, but the few I have I cherish! You know, I can just imagine the Queensland officer barracking (in every sense of the word) with the Victorian troopers (if the fighting rumour was true)! Human nature is a funny old thing and never ceases to amaze me. Rivalries and just plain old chemistry can really serve to make things interesting! There seemed to be few dull moments in the Kelly saga due to all the complex interactions between the major players. All the passions and the power plays are truly fascinating and show that these men were truly human afterall and not far removed from us. Though it seems that Aaron Sherritt, and perhaps others, perceived Ned Kelly to be superhuman!
Tim, by the way, your tattoo looks really great, hope you will be sending Dave snaps of your other ones to put on his site!
Tim
Hey Sharon, glad the info helped, not much out there on your mystery man.
Yes I have sent Dave some more pics and that get's me wondering........
Where is Dave ? Have not seen him around here for a little while....Are you still around.............LOL.....&
#46;.........Tim.
Dave White
No pics attached Tim? Try again if you can please.
http://www.glenrowan1880.com/tattoos.htm
Regards Dave.
Sharon in the USA
Digging deeper on the net I have found the reference to Constable King fighting with the Victorian police. I was not originally sure if it was in a book or on the net! On a website about Queensland history there is a bit about the notorious native bushranger Johnnie Campbell who was captured in 1880 and eventually hanged. He was considered the worst native criminal in the entire country. The site goes on to say that "Twelve hours after Campbell's capture, Constable Tom King arrived in Tewantin. He was on Campbell's track. He said he would have shot him on sight. This same Constable King was sent to Victoria to help the Victorian police capture the Kelly gang but he got into holts with the police and belted them and was sent back to Queensland." Another site refers to him as Sgt. Tom King and tells how he was well known among the aborigines and that he was one of a very few white men accepted as a "Bunda." Bunda in native culture being "a father, brother and son combination and a respected person..." It went on to say about his Kelly connection. So it would seem we have a man here who more than likely did not see eye to eye with the Victorian troopers given this background info. Surely his world view and perceptions were quite different from the average Victorian policeman's so a clash was inevitable. Interesting!
Thomas King....
Tim
Hey Sharon, I now have in my posession Senior Constable Tom King's full service record and other interesting info on him and the black trackers. He died on Fraser Island 28.07.1917 aged 64. In 1893 floods decimated Maryborough in Qld and Tom King was heroic in numerious acts of Bravery and received a citizens award for this, lots more info & pics, hope it help's.
Tim.
Great!
Sharon in the USA
Constable King was not the only hero! Tim is one, too! LOL! Thanks mate! Interesting in the extreme! King does seem to have been a top bloke despite his purported clashes with the Victorian traps! I still find it odd that none of the accounts I have read ever mentioned his leaving Victoria! He arrived and that was it and never heard from again! I could not be the only one who began to wonder what the go was! This forum is great, I love it when I get answers! Thanks to all so far who have been a bg help to me! Sharon
Sharon in the USA
Tim, if you are willing to do so, could you have a photocopy made and snail mail it to me? I have trouble with reading scans in attachments (that is even if I can open em!) on this rig! If you don't care to share, no wukkas, mate! I understand! But I am like my cats, I operate under the principle that it never hurts to ask for what you want! LOL!
Sharon
Service File.......
Tim
Hey Sharon, the service file, pics, death certificate, application to join police force, newspaper clippings etc is quite detailed, may have to post with other items mentioned in the near future. His police career certainly had its ups & downs with him being promoted and demoted several times, glad it helps, thanks to Qld Police Museum who had mailed all the info to me within 1 week !
Tim.
Sharon in the USA
It all sounds great, Tim! Lucky you were able to get this information and so quickly! Great that the police museum was so on the ball,too! Thanks to all!
Sharon
KC2000 free forum, please be polite to all users
Queensland Trackers
Sharon in the USA
I am thinking of doing a short piece on King at Dave's site, since King would have been at the siege if he had stayed, and he was part of the blacktracker contingent! I ran it by Dave and he seems to like the idea, so the info you tracked down will come in handy, Tim! And you will get a thank you mention along with the Police Museum in it! Will see how I go once I get the info! Sharon
Thomas King........
Tim
Ok Shaz , no wukkers, have already rang & thanked Lisa at OLD police museum, will gather some more goodies for you & send.
Cheers Tim.