Ben Hall (1837 1865) was an infamous Australian bushranger. Bushranger is an Australian term for a highwayman, criminal or bandit that operated during the 19th century due to the fact that they hid the vast expanse of bush of Australia's colonial frontier. Ben Hall and his various companions roamed an area of New South Wales from Bathurst to Forbes, south to Gundagai and east to Goulburn. Ben Hall has become part of Australian folklore and is arguably the most prolofic and wanted bushranger in Australia's history, in terms of his activity and criminal record. Ben Hall and his Gang carried out hundreds of audacious raids and robberies, some of which were intended to taunt and humiliate the police. Ben Hall was not always a bushranger and criminal. He was a native-born Irish descendant and had a bright future. By 24 years of age, he had his own lands and cattle. He was married and had a young son. However, his life fell into ruin when his young bride Biddy eloped with Ben Hall's treacherous friend Jim Taylor. The lovers disappeared, taking Ben Hall's only child with them. After that, everything changed for Hall as despair overtook him. With the massive Gold Rushes in the Central West breaking out around the same time, Ben Hall was one of many young men to fall under the influence of Frank Gardiner, a charismatic career criminal who planned and executed the famous Escort Gold Robbery - the largest gold heist in British history. For his involvement in the Escort Robbery, Hall was arrested and imprisoned for a month, but was let go due to a lack of evidence. When Gardiner 'retired' from the game shortly after, Ben Hall took charge of the gang and began waging a very personal war against the NSW police and society. Unlike many other bushrangers of the era, Ben Hall was not directly responsible for any murders, although several of his riding companions certainly were, such as John Gilbert, John Dunn and John O'Meally. By all accounts, Ben Hall appeared to have an apprehension to extreme violence and taking human life. Many times he prevented his gang from executing police and civilians. This earned him a good reputation amongst the common folk who sheltered and protected him from the Law. After a criminal career lasting around 3 years, Ben Hall was finally shot dead by police in May 1865 at Billabong Creek outside Forbes NSW. Hall had been sold out for the 1000 pound reward by a trusted friend, who informed the police of Hall's whereabouts. The police claimed that they were acting under the protection of the Felons Apprehension Act 1865 which Ben Hall, Gilbert and Dunn had been specifically named. Under the terms of the Act they could be shot and killed by anyone at any time without warning. At the time of Ben Hall's death, the Felons Apprehension Act had not quite come into force. Technically, he had another ten days left to surrender before being declared an outlaw. This resulted in considerable controversy over the legality of his killing, and many locals empathised with the once-decent young man, whose life had simply fallen apart after making some bad choices. - (Credit. The Legend of Ben Hall, Website) Show less «