1789: The Birth of Policing in New South Wales
On 8 August 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip authorised the formation of a nightwatch at Sydney Cove, drawing eight of the best-behaved convicts from the colony’s population. Read more →
1796: First Fleet Convict John Finlow Hanged in Sydney for Murder
John Fendlow (c.1768-1796), a tinsmith convicted at the Old Bailey in 1783 for highway robbery, arrived in Sydney with the First Fleet in January 1788. Read more →
1963: The Great Train Robbery Nets 2.6 Million Pounds in a Single Night
In the early hours of 8 August 1963, a gang of fifteen robbers, led by Bruce Reynolds, stopped the Glasgow-to-London Royal Mail train at Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn, Buckinghamshire. Read more →
