VPRS 4965 Consignment P0 Unit 5 Item 39 Record 1 Document: Constable Robert Alexander’s affidavit re: behaviour of Constables Dowling and Armstrong regarding the Sherritt affair

27/07/1881

Overview

A written and sworn affidavit by Constable Robert Alexander dated the 27.07.1881, almost year after the siege at Glenrowan. The affidavit formed part of the investigation into the conduct of officers involved in the capture of the Kelly Gang. Sworn in the presence of JP Robert M. Bean this brief affidavit reveals how both Constables Dowling and Armstrong hid under a bed in the Sherritt home and took no immediate action to try and apprehend either Joe Byrne or Dan Kelly on the night of Aaron’s murder. Instead they waited twelve hours after the shooting to report the incident in Beechworth.

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Made and sworn before me at Benalla in the Colony of Victoria this 27th day of July 1881 Robt. M Bean J. P.	[Const Alexanders affidavit re Sherritt's affair 27.7.81] I Robert Alexander of Glenrowan in the Colony of Victoria make oath and say: - 1st That about ten minutes after the second shot was fired by the outlaws at Sherritt’s hut I saw Constables Armstrong and Dowling partly under the bed lying on their chests. Constable Duross was sitting at the end of the bedroom near the bed. I do not know who put the women under the bed. 2nd Dan Kelly did not come into the sitting room had he done so I must have seen him or heard his footsteps Robt Alexander ? 2726 [End of page 1]		VPRS 4965 Consignment P0 Unit 5 Item 39 Record 1 Document: Constable Robert Alexander's affidavit re: behaviour of Constables Dowling and Armstrong regarding the Sherritt affair