The Kelly Gang had four members - Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart. They gained notoriety when, at Stringybark Creek in October 1878, they surprised a patrol of four police officers who were pursuing them and shot three of them dead. The members of the Kelly Gang were declared outlaws for this incident and a bounty of £2000 pounds was placed on their heads.
In 1879 the Kelly Gang committed two major robberies, at Euroa and Jerilderie, their strategy being the taking of hostages and robbing the bank safes.
The showdown came at Glenrowan. The Kelly Gang arrived in Glenrowan on 27 June 1880 and took about 70 hostages at the Glenrowan Inn. Knowing that a train loaded with police was on its way they ordered the rail tracks pulled up in order to cause a derailment. This plan failed and the police laid siege to the inn.
The next day the Kelly Gang donned their armour, made from plough parts, and after the shoot-out Ned was the found to be the only surviving member of the gang.
Ned Kelly (January 1855 – 11 November 1880) was the first son of an Irish convict and had trouble with the police from an early age. The Kelly family were often suspected of cattle or horse stealing, though they were never convicted although Ned received his first prison sentence at age 15. He was captured at the siege at Glenrown, tried in Melbourne and was hanged at Melbourne Jail on November 11, 1880
Dan Kelly (1861 - 28th June 1880) was the youngest brother of Ned and the youngest member of the Kelly Gang. Like Ned, he was in trouble with the police from and early age. He died at the siege at Glenrowan, preferring suicide by poison to capture by the police
Joe Byrne (November 1857 - June 28, 1880) was the lieutenant of the Kelly Gang. He served one sentence in Beechworth Gaol for horse-stealing before joining the gang. He died in the siege of Glenrowan. Although wearing armour, he was shot in the leg and bled to death.
Steve Hart (b. 1859 - d. June 28, 1880) was born in Wangaratta and was known as a horse thief. He died in the siege of Glenrowan, also taking poison.
Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang have been the inspiraton of collectors of Australian memorabilia and collectibles for years. Even though Ned died over 120 years ago his memory is kept alive by their interest and activity. Here's a small sample of some of these collectibles:
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![]() Ned Kelly AU $3,000.00
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![]() Outlaw Ned Kelly Keyring Key Ring Brand New AU $15.00
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![]() Ned Kelly Memorial Silhouette Collectors Mug AU $14.00
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