ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

There are many unsung heroes, on both sides of the fence, in the Kelly saga. Constable Hugh Bracken is one of them.


Bracken

© Stephen Whiteside 07.10.2012

Who was there on duty, with the flu, in dressing gown,
In that winter, 1880, when the Kellys came to town?
Bracken.

Who was held at gunpoint, and escorted with the rest
To Ann Jones’ little shanty as an uninvited guest?

Bracken.

Who spied the key untended as the siege was taking shape,
Then dropped it in his trouser cuff and made good his escape?

Bracken.

Who rode to Wangaratta on a breathless, sweaty steed
To spread the news, and bring in reinforcements at great speed?

Bracken.

Who stared down Sergeant Steele when at last Ned called, “I’m done!”,
And rescued Ned from murder at the barrel of a gun?

Bracken.

Who faced the condemnation of his colleagues in the force
For insisting proper justice be allowed to take its course?

Bracken.

Who blew his brains out one fine day, when all the worlds was sweet,
With Glenrowan well behind him, and the future at his feet?

Bracken.

It was Bracken, one Hugh Bracken, who did all of this, and more;
Who worked hard, and schemed with courage to uphold this nation’s law.
Yet History is fickle, like a bushfire on the run,
In those it overlooks while settling on its favoured son.

There are some who opt for Curnow, there are many shout for Ned,
But spare a thought for Bracken, prodded ailing from his bed.
If anyone is counting, or they’re tallying a score,
Then Constable Hugh Bracken should be well up to the fore.

I'm loving these history lessons Stephen, keep them coming. This is great

Cheers

Maureen

Thanks, Maureen!

Was playing the pokies yesterday a game called Ned Kelly I think and one of the emblems is the shanty with Ann Jones as the prop! I was gonna goggle it today to see if that was true but you solved the problem Stephen .


Yes the history is great Maureen, You on Holidays Stephen !


Bob

Nah, just back from the world of novel writing, Bob. (I wish!)

Poor old Ann Jones. Couldn't take a trick, that woman.

I can add a little more to the Bracken story. Hugh Bracken was later a policeman at Wallan which isn't far from here. I have viewed his suicide note at the Public Records Office in melbourne. It would appear that he was always threatening to do it and in the end no one believed him.

In Sept 1891 the local newspaper reported that he was about to retire to Mordialloc to take up his pastime of horse breeding.

Kilmore Advertiser 11 May 1882 p.2 A prisoner named William Taylor, now in the Kilmore gaol, has laid a complaint against Constable Bracken, of Wallan, for violently assaulting him without cause when being arrested. The complaint, we learn, has been forwarded to head quarters.

Kilmore Advertiser 18 May 1882 p.2 Constable Bracken, one of the heroes of Glenrowan, received his share of the Kelly Reward Fund, on Monday last, at the local pay office. The amount was £275 13s 9d.

Early 1900 Hugh Bracken took his own life.

Kilmore Advertiser 17 May 1924. Captain Bracken—Master of the ill-fated steamer Wyrallah, the son of ex-constable Bracken etc

Fascinating, Heather - and so sad.

Do we know what happened to the Wyrallah?

Further information can be found here:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/hc22.htm

A very interesting read thank you very much for posting that Stephen I enjoyed the history lesson.


Cheers Bob


interesting in my family tree Margaret Pacey married an Edward Kelly and her sister Anne married a Dan Kelly, obviously not the same ones ?


Bob

I found the title of the article ironic Stephen. Ned Kelly's Saviour. Bracken saved him from being shot so that he could be hanged. There must have been small comfort in that...