A Bold Robbery Sparks a Chase
In 1878, Ned Kelly and his gang were accused of a police murder in Victoria, Australia. Fleeing into the bush, they evaded capture and launched daring robberies, including raids on banks in Euroa and Jerilderie, where Kelly dictated a manifesto outlining his grievances.
The Iconic Armour
In 1880, Kelly and his gang built armor from plowshares, creating suits weighing up to 44 kilograms. The gang wore the armor during a final confrontation at Glenrowan, aiming to ambush police. The armor made them nearly impervious to bullets but left their legs vulnerable.
The Siege at Glenrowan
Police surrounded the Glenrowan Inn where the gang was holed up. In a dramatic gunfight, three gang members were killed. Kelly, in full armor, fought alone before being shot in the legs and captured.
The End of the Line
Ned Kelly was tried and convicted of murder. He was executed by hanging on November 11, 1880, at the age of 25. His final words were reportedly, “Such is life.” Kelly remains a central figure in Australian folklore.
In 1878, Ned Kelly became infamous as Australia’s most wanted outlaw after being accused of a police murder. Leading a gang, he evaded capture in the bush and executed daring bank robberies, while also dictating a manifesto detailing his grievances against authorities.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/4HzqqOgzrQ
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 27, 2025