Sadleir

John Sadleir in his later years. Sadleir's signature.
(Sadleir, J., “Recollections of a Victorian Police Officer” (1973).

John Sadleir was born in Ireland in 1833. He came to Australia in 1852 and
joined the Victorian Police force on 1st Dec of that same year. He resigned
(pensioned) 31 Dec 1896 and died in 1919.

The Editors note from the first page of Sadleir's book, 'Recollections of a
Victorian Police Officer', gives us a great insight into John Sadleir.

    "Rarely has an Australian policeman used his retirement to tell the
    inside story of his life and times. We are fortunate that John Sadleir,
    a high-ranking officer of the Victorian police force, did not shirk what
    he felt to be his final duty. His intriguing memoirs take us back to the
    rough and tumble of the gold-rush days, when young police cadets
    like Sadleir were practically the community's sole protection. Pro-
    moted and transferred to various parts of the country, Sadleir helped
    to bring frontier-style law and order to greedy squatters, drunken
    shearers, and desperate bush criminals - many of whom had proved
    themselves beyond redemption. The high point of his career occurred
    when he took command of the siege and capture of Ned Kelly and
    his gang at Glenrowan. This book gives ..........."

According to the Kelly Reward Board, the police under the command of
Superintendent John Sadleir* arrived in Glenrowan at 5:00 AM He took
charge upon his arrival.

Supt Sadleir

1305 Sergeant James Whelan

2271 Senior Constable R.A. Smyth

2312 Mounted Constable Robert Graham

2688 " " " " C Ryan

3059 " " " " W.J.R. Wallace

3105 " " " " P.P. Wilson

3110 " " " " J.L. Stillard

1670 Foot Constable Patrick Kelly

2041 " " " " Thomas Reilly

2684 " " " " John Milne

2963 " " " " J.M. Hewitt

2507 Constable Dwyer

Railways Engine Driver Richard Coleman

Railways Engine Fireman John Stewart

Trackers Moses and Spider.

Also with this party was Jesse Dowsett.

*For more information on John Sadleir, consult his book, 'Recollections of a
Victorian Police Officer'.

** To learn what became of Mr Sadleir, visit these websites.
http://www.heardfamilyhistory.org.uk/Sadleir/sadlindex.htm
http://www.brightoncemetery.com/HistoricInterments/Histinter_index.htm