Kelly Gang Armor

No one is ever likely to know just what considerations

influenced the Kelly Gang in the months preceding the

battle of Glenrowan. If the shroud that surrounded so

much of their lives was dark, then the reticence that

enveloped relatives and friends following the climax of

their story was darker still.

What seems likely is that someone - probably Ned himself

- dreamed up a checkmate to the banks’ new ring of security,

and that once the idea was floated its very boldness gave

purpose to everyone. The evidence is that mouldboards

were stolen a few months after Jerilderie, and that the task

of fashioning them into usable shape and quilting them kept

the gang and their supporters busy throughout the entire

1879-80 summer. Ned and Joe meanwhile were casting

around for a strategic objective and tactical plans. The

betrayal of Maggie and withdrawal of the Glenrowan watch

party may well have supplied the occasion sought. Sherritt

would be executed, and his execution used to draw the special

force from Benalla, so leaving its two banks unprotected. The

town would then be isolated by cutting the rail links north and

south.

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