1879 – Policeman Edward Webb-Bowen migrated to Australia for the “colonial experience” and probably got more than he bargained for.
Being killed by an infamous bushranger slots perfectly into the Australian frontier experience, but in the years before that he was also speared by Aborigines while a member of the Native Mounted Police in Far North Queensland, helped round up horse and cattle-stealing gangs and took part in the capture of another gang of bushrangers, the Hell Gang.
Bushranger Andrew Scott, known as Captain Moonlite, insisted he did not fire the shot that killed the New South Wales Constable, but he hung for the offence. It has only recently been confirmed that he probably wasn’t responsible.
The Newcastle Morning Herald waxed lyrical in describing Bowen’s death after being “wounded by a leaden messenger” fired by the “rascally Gundagai bushranger’’ at a stand-off at Wantabadgery in New South Wales central Riverina region, east of Wagga Wagga. (Note newspaper reports referred to Webb-Bowen simply as Bowen).
“The New South Wales Police, on Sunday last, lost probably one of its brightest ornaments, as regards the impersonation of sterling courage and unflinching respect for vigorous duty.
“A more unflinching, manly, officer than poor Bowen proved himself during years of service, did not exist in the colony.
“He was well known as possessing all the attributes of a really good police officer – education,
Newcastle morning herald
energy, muscular strength, and cool courage.
Image Sharyn Moodie 2026.
The shooting happened on Monday, November 17, 1879. A bullet entered the left side of Bowen’s neck, lodging in his spine and paralysing his limbs. Much has been written about the stand-off. To learn more, visit Wikipaedia.
Bowen’s health had seemed to slowly improving for several days after the shooting, but the Burrowa News reported that “during Friday night he became very restless and could not sleep, and on Saturday he was delirious. The delirium remained almost through the day, but at night the wounded man slept for a few hours, and it was hoped by his attendants that on his awakening he would be easier. Sleep, however, brought no relief, and gradually the patient sank and died at half-past four Sunday morning unconsciousness remaining to the last”.
The bullet was reclaimed from Bowen at an autopsy, and from the get-go, at the inquest held on Bowen’s body, Scott denied responsibility for it. There was conjecture about whether the bullet had come from Scott’s Snider rifle or a small Colt revolver. Scott claimed he saw Bowen shot, and knew who fired the shot; but “he was not an informer and would not tell”.
The inquest jury found that Bowen was shot by a gang of six bushrangers while he was lawfully endeavouring to arrest them, but by which of them the shot was fired there was no evidence.
The Coroner committed all the prisoners who had been captured at Wantabadgery – Andrew Scott, Thomas Rogan, Thomas Williams and Graham Bennett – for trial at on a charge of wilful murder. The other two bushrangers, James Nesbitt and Gus Wernickie (various spellings), were shot dead during the incident.
On January 20, 1880 Captain Moonlite and Thomas Rogan were hung in Sydney’s Darlinghurst Gaol for the murder of Constable Edward Webb-Bowen. Modern technology has revealed that the most likely shooter was the 15-year-old Gus Wernickie.
Bowen, who had attended Eton College in England, and was the son of a vicar, left a wife, Bridget (known as Marion) and one child, Edward, 3 (a second son had died before reaching one year old). Marion was granted a government pension but struggled, at one time running an unsuccessful hotel. She had court appearances for drunkeness, and died aged 70 of heart and kidney disease, probably accelerated by alcohol.
Next to Bowen’s grave is another bushranger victim, Edmund Parry, killed by the Ben Hall gang in 1864.
A monument to Bowen was unveiled near the Wantabadgey MacDonald Memorial Hall in Jewnee Street, Wantabadgery in 2015.
Sources: Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tuesday 25 November 1879, Monday 24 November 1879
The Burrowa News, Friday 28 November 1879,p 2 Friday 21 November 1879, p2
The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser, Tuesday 18 November 1879, p2
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 11 December 1879, p7
Line of fire : what happened at the Wantabadgery seige? Byard, R, Ford, A, Raymond, TJ, Sofonia, JJ, Kaluza, O, Barnes, DG, https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/publications/line-of-fire-what-happened-at-the-wantabadgery-seige/
Australian Police, The Thin Blue Line: viewed June 23, 2026 at https://australianpolice.com.au/edward-mostyn-webb-bowen
McIntyre, M : The Webb-Bowen Family of Camrose, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Way to go Australia 