Joseph Ladd Mayes

Former Irish national who emigrated to the United States in the mid 1850's, Joseph Ladd Mayes later emigrated to the fledgling nation of Australia where he became a noted figure in the Victorian Police Force (Australia) during the height of the Ned Kelly Affair in that State. Joseph Ladd Mayes was responsible for the investigation and capture of several prominent bush rangers operating in the Victorian colony during the 1860's and 1870's and later gave evidence at a Royal Commission into the Victorian Police Force. He was married twice. His first wife, Mariann Piquet died in 1878 and he then married Eugenie Rebecca Bourke in 1879. Over the two marriages, Joseph Ladd Mayes had 11 children - all of whom went on to have families of their own. He died in July 1902 in Brighton, Victoria shortly after retiring from the Victorian Police Force.