Thursday, July 26, 2012

Robbery in the name of Thunder

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The origins of the name Captain Thunderbolt are believed to have first been used by Fred Ward during the robbery of Campbell’s toll-bar at the present intersection of the Wollombi Road and the New England Highway at Rutherford.
These were the beginnings of a bushranging career, lasting seven years, during which Captain Thunderbolt became the longest roaming bushranger in 19th century Australian history.
Four significant sites relating to the life and death of infamous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt have been added to the State Heritage Register, Heritage Minister Robyn Parker said.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 20 Jul, 2012.