Constable Hugh Bracken Memorial Wallan Cemetery

A joint collaborative project on behalf of the Wallan Cemetery Trust, Greta Cemetery Trust and the Victoria Police Historical Graves Committee.

Headed by Ralph Stavely (Victoria Police Historical Graves Committee) and Noeleen Lloyd (Greta Cemetery Trust) who will work collaboratively alongside our colleagues at Wallan to achieve what we believe will be a great outcome.

The project involves a staged project of placing a memorial plaque and story board at the Wallan Cemetery for Constable Hugh Bracken who is buried in an unknown, unmarked grave at Wallan (Victoria)Cemetery.

Hugh was Born Drumgague, County Fermanagh, Ireland 14 July 1840

He served with Victoria Police 27 September 1861 to 31 March 1866 and 13 August 1867 to 14 November 1873.

He rejoined Victoria Police 2 November 1878 to join the search for the gang which killed the police at Stringybark Creek.

He was kidnapped and held hostage by Ned Kelly, he showed great coolness and bravery in escaping and warning approaching police the gang were in Ann Jones’ Hotel. He subsequently took part in the siege of the hotel and played a key role in Ned Kelly’s arrest, which was preceded by a lengthy gun battle.

On 9 May 1883 he was found medically unfit and was discharged from Victoria Police.

He sadly, as is well known, died by his own hand on 23 February 1900 at his home in Wallan, Victoria.

The record in the book shows his name, but no details as to section, nor plot. Nor who buried him. It is not known where he lies.

Recent, very thorough research, shows that he has no direct line in Australia - his first son died in WW1 and his second son had one daughter who had no children. There are distant relatives.

It is not in doubt that he needs to have a marker to remember him he as a person - but also his place in Australian history.

The Victoria Police Historical Graves Committee cannot provide financial support for this project, as its funding is limited to cases involving members of the Victoria Police Force who are recorded on the Victoria Police Honour Roll. Hugh Bracken is not recorded on that Roll.

Similarly, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon funding is strictly limited to perpetuating the memory of members of the Victoria Police who have died in the line of duty.

So unfortunately, Hugh meets neither of these criteria.

However, we have been advised that Police Blue Ribbon remain available to support this project and will assist in other ways.

It can be argued that Hugh suffered ongoing PTSD - but he still does not fit the stated criteria.

Working with the Wallan Cemetery Trust we will need to seek donations and crowd fund the whole memorial plaque, placement, story board and related materials. We also need to fund costs related to the proposed memorial service.

This will NOT be a headstone - nor will it be on a grave. As stated, we have no way of knowing where the grave is. Rather, a place has been determined for a memorial near the front gate of the Cemetery.

Our aim is to hold a public ceremony and unveiling on the 125 anniversary of Hugh Bracken’s death – 23 February 2025.

The funding target is $7,500

All funds raised will go directly to the Wallan Cemetery Trust to administer. Any excess funds will be used by the Trust for ongoing maintenance of the memorial

The plaque will read ‘Funded by public subscription’ - not individual names.

Thank you for your support - and for those who have already helped ‘behind the scenes’