Rare c.19th engraving of the bushranger named Frederick Cranley shot by Constable Bowen at Avery’s Hotel, Bendemeer.
In July 1877, the bushrangers Cranley and Stephen Ward Wonnocott stayed at W. C. Avery’s Telegraph Hotel at Bendemeer, where they spent several days drinking heavily and questioning patrons about local properties and wealthy landowners. On the afternoon of 14 July, after becoming angered when further credit was refused on a bill of £1 11s, the pair turned to robbery. Cranley armed himself with a revolver, locked the bar door, and announced that he was “sticking the place up”. Mrs. Avery and the hotel servants confronted him despite repeated threats. Cranley eventually fired a shot past Mrs. Avery’s head, forcing those present to withdraw.
During the disturbance, a travelling salesman named Bancroft emerged after hearing the gunshot and was threatened by Cranley, who demanded his money and watch. Bancroft refused. News of the robbery quickly reached the local police station, and Constable Edward Mostyn Webb Bowen rode to the hotel. Bowen, already known for his forceful conduct as a police officer, arrived while Cranley was searching the premises and drinking behind the bar.
When Cranley confronted Bowen outside the hotel, the constable ordered him to surrender. Cranley fired first but missed. Bowen returned fire, wounding him in the hip. Cranley attempted another shot, but his revolver misfired and jammed. Bowen fired again, striking Cranley in the chest. The wounded bushranger was carried into the hotel dining room, where he died shortly afterwards at the age of thirty. Wonnocott was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. A search of Cranley’s body revealed ammunition, a letter, and a photograph, but no stolen money.
An inquest held two days later concluded unanimously that Bowen’s actions were justified. He subsequently received promotion within the police force. Bowen later rejoined active policing during the period of the Kelly Gang’s activities and was eventually killed in another confrontation with bushrangers at McGlede’s Farm near Wantabadgery Station in 1879.
From the original edition of the Illustrated Australian News.
Collections:
University Queensland: Identifier 991000982479703131
State Library Victoria: PCINF IAN 04-09-76 P.133
National Library Australia: Bib ID 2495305
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS F079/55, TN380
Royal Geographic Society SA: RGS Special Coll. 079.94 I29d
References:
Syme, E. & D, Illustrated Australian News. ISSN 2208-5386.
