Police Sergeant Michael Kennedy, Mounted Constables Thomas Lonigan & Michael Scanlan Print Page 
The monument commemorates three local policemen; Police Sergeant Michael Kennedy, and Mounted Constables Thomas Lonigan and Michael Scanlan who lost their lives in a skirmish with the Kelly Gang at Stringybark Creek.
Ned Kelly, his brother Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joseph Byrne had been hiding from police in the forested Wombat Ranges, near Mansfield, for some months, and carryingout sluicing operations in the Stringybark Creek. Policemen were sent from Mansfield to apprehend the gang, but in the shootout that took place at Stringybark Creek on Saturday, 26 October 1878, three of the four policemen were killed. Trooper Thomas McIntyre was the only policeman to survive.
The event stunned the community and triggered great fear of bushrangers in the district. In response, the government passed the Felons Apprehension Bill, which gave civilians the right to shoot members of the Kelly gang on sight. The Victorian Government provided tombstones for each of the policemen`s graves in the Mansfield Cemetery. The memorial is a tall ornate monument in marble and granite erected at the cost of over £800, and unveiled by the Chief Commissioner of Police, Captain Standish.
Police Memorial Unveiling 1880Location
| Address: | High & Highett Streets, Roundabout, Mansfield, 3722 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.052134 Long: 146.088141 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Crime |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 26-October-1878 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 26-October-1878 |
| Monument Manufacturer: | Hanson & Company |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Thursday 22nd April, 1880 |
|---|
A.D. 1880.
To the Memory
of the
THREE BRAVE MEN
Who Lost Their Lives
While Endeavouring
To Capture A Band Of
Armed Criminals
In The Wombat Ranges
NEAR MANSFIELD,
26th October. 1878
Plaque :
SERGEANT MICHAEL KENNEDY
Entered the Victorian Police Force
19th August, 1864.
Mounted Constable
MICHAEL SCANLAN,
Entered The Victorian Police Force
22nd December, 1865
In Memoriam.
MICHAEL KENNEDY,
Born At Westmeath, Ireland,
Aged 36 Years.
THOMAS LONIGAN,
Born At Sligo, Ireland,
Aged 34 Years.
MICHAEL SCANLAN
Born At Kerry, Ireland,
Aged 25 Years.
THIS MONUMENT
Is Erected By Subscription, From The Inhabitants
Of Victoria And New South Wales.
A.D. 1880.
Plaque:
Three Victoria Police Members Were Murdered
At Stringybark Creek Near Mansfield,
On The 26th Day Of October 1878
By A Group Of Men Who Came To Be
Known As The `Kelly Gang`.
The Memorial Above Was Erected In 1880
To Honour The Slain Police.
Sergeant Michael Kennedy,
Constable Michael Scanlon
And Constable Thomas Lonigan
Are Buried In The Mansfield Cemetery.
Mounted Constable
THOMAS LONIGAN
Entered the Victorian Police Force
4th July, 1874
