Part 7/13:
Ned Kelly’s story begins in 1865 Australia, with Ned a boy of just 11, already exhibiting heroism by saving a drowning child. Growing up amid poverty and hardship, his life was marred by encounters with colonial authorities. His father, an Irish ex-convict, struggled to provide for the family on their farm. When Ned was just 12, his father died after a stint in prison, leaving Ned as the head of the household and deepening his involvement in petty crime.
From Boy to Outlaw
Desperate for money, Ned apprenticed with bushranger Harry Power and learned the skills of cattle rustling and survival. After Power’s arrest, Ned was falsely accused of theft, leading to imprisonment. Released, he turned to horse theft, quickly gaining a reputation as a successful outlaw.