142 years ago today, on 10 November 1880, this photo of Ned Kelly was taken by the official Melbourne Gaol photographer, Charles Nettleton, as a keepsake for Ned's mother, Ellen.
Ned also dictated his final letter to the Marquis of Normanby. In it, he stated, "I know now it is useless trespassing on your valuable time because of the expense the Government has been put to which is not my fault. They will only be satisfied with my life, though I have been found guilty and condemned to death on a charge which, of all men in the world, I should be the last one to be guilty of. There is one wish, in conclusion, I would like you to grant me, that is the release of my mother before my execution as detaining her in prison could not make any difference to the Government now, for the day will come when all men will be judged by their mercy and deeds; and also if you would grant permission for my friends to have my body that they might bury it in consecrated ground."
A day later, on 11 November 1880, Ned was executed at 10:00am. However, his final wish that his mother be released was ignored. His body was decapitated and buried in unconsecrated ground. It wasn't until 18 January 2013, that he was reunited with his family at the Greta Cemetery. And until his skull is returned, he shall not fully rest in peace...
