Bushrangers John Gilbert

BUSHRANGER PROFILES

John Gilbert

John Gilbert

John Gilbert published in The Illustrated Melbourne Post.

A contemporary of Hall and Gardiner, Johnny Gilbert, alias Roberts was one of the gang charged with the robbery of the gold escort at Eugowra Rocks, but had not been captured. He was born in Canada and emigrated to Victoria with his uncle, John Davis, after gold had been discovered there. When Davis was found shot in April 1854 Gilbert (then known as Roberts) was arrested and charged with murder. He was acquitted but later jailed for horse stealing.

Gilbert rode with the Gardiner gang which committed many robberies during this period and he and Hall took over the leadership when Gardiner 'retired' and escaped from New South Wales. They stole horses, robbed travellers, coaches and hotels, and stole guns, and became increasingly audacious. On 24 October 1863 Hall, Gilbert, O'Meally, Vane and Burke held Assistant Gold Commissioner Keightley hostage near his own house while his wife rode to Bathurst and back to obtain £ 500 for the ransome. £ 1000 reward was offered for Hall and Gilbert, O'Meally and Vane.

The day after Hall was shot dead by police, May 5, 1865. Gilbert and Dunn were held up by police and Gilbert was shot dead on 13 May, 1965. Dunn escaped into the scrub.