John King (police officer)

John King (1830-1881) was a police constable at the Battle of the Eureka Stockade who was responsible for seizing the rebel war flag.

Born in the parish of Tumurah, County Down, Ireland, son of James King, farmer, and Jane (nee McAllister), he attempted to join the British Army several times but was rejected on account of his age.

His record sheet describes him as ‘age 25, height 5 feet six and a half inches, eyes grey, hair brown; complexion light’.

[1] In his report dated 14 December 1854, Captain John Thomas mentioned "the fact of the Flag belonging to the Insurgents (which had been nailed to the flagstaff) being captured by Constable King of the Force".

[5] The Eureka Flag was exhibited at the trials, and after pieces had been cut off, it was returned to King, who gained his discharge from the police on 29 March 1855.

[7] Professor Anne Beggs-Sunter thinks it is "likely that King read Withers's book, because he wrote to the Melbourne Public Library offering to sell the flag to that institution.

John King's widow Isabella would post the flag after being approached by art gallery president James Oddie, along with a letter to the secretary which reads: Kingsley, Minyip, 1st October, 1895 Dear Sir, In connection with the wish of the president of the Ballarat Fine Arts and Public Gallery for the gift or loan of the flag that floated above the Eureka Stockade, I have much pleasure in offering loan of flag to the above association on condition that I may get it at any time I specify, or on demand of myself or my son, Arthur King.

You will find several holes, that were caused by bullets that were fired at my late husband in his endeavours to seize the flag at that memorable event:- Yours, &c.,