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Sergeant John McNallyPrint Page 
The plaque at the grave commemorates Police Sergeant John McNally who was murdered whilst on duty in October 1856. A new stone was unveiled and rededicated in 2006.
Sergeant John McNally became the first member of Victoria Police to be feloniously slain in the line of duty when he was murdered at the Mount Ararat goldfields on 16th October, 1856 whilst trying to arrest a bushranger known as "Gipsy Smith" over a string of armed robberies.
After a shotgun was fired killing Sergeant McNally and seriously injuring his partner, Constable John Moore, the offenders made their escape. Seven days later, they were arrested and charged with the murder of McNally. One of the offenders, William Twiggem, was hanged. "Gipsy Smith," William Turner, evaded a death sentence on a technicality and received fifteen years hard labour.
Sergeant McNally had only joined the Victoria Police Force the previous year after serving with the Royal Irish Constabulary in County Longford for eight years.
Location
| Address: | Phillips Flat Road, Cathcart Cemetery, Cathcart, 3377 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.319616 Long: 142.888729 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Grave |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Crime |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 16-October-1856 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 16-October-1856 |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1974 |
|---|
In memory
Sgt John McNally
Who was murdered whilst in the execution of his duty 16-10-1856.
Erected by Ararat & District Historical Society and Victoria Police Department
1974.
Rededication on the 150th anniversary 16th October 2006 by Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation
