Ben Hall | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Ben_Hall_1863_detail.jpg) Ben Hall, photographed in 1863 (from the New South Wales State Library). | |
| Born | Ben Hall Jr. 9 May 1837 Wallis Plains, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 5 May 1865 (aged 27) Goobang Creek, New South Wales, Australia |
| Resting place | Forbes, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Bushranger |
| Children | 1 |
Ben Hall (9 May 1837 – 5 May 1865) was an Australian bushranger and leading member of the Gardiner–Hall gang. He and his associates carried out many raids across New South Wales, from Bathurst to Forbes, south to Gundagai and east to Goulburn. Unlike many bushrangers of the era, Hall was not directly responsible for any deaths, although several of his associates were.[1] He was shot dead by police in May 1865 at Goobang Creek. The police claimed that they were acting under the protection of the Felons Apprehension Act 1865, which allowed any bushranger who had been specifically named under the terms of the Act to be shot, and killed by any person at any time without warning. At the time of Hall's death, the Act had not yet come into force, resulting in controversy over the legality of his killing.[2]
Hall is a prominent figure in Australian folklore, inspiring many bush ballads, books and screen works, including the 1975 television series Ben Hall and the 2016 feature film The Legend of Ben Hall.
- ^ "Benjamin Hall and the Outlawed Bushrangers". Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
- ^ "Family seeks justice for Bold Ben's demise" Archived 10 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, – Meacham, Steve, The Age, 31 March 2007