Overview

• Born Francis Christie in Ross-shire, Scotland, he later used aliases including Frank Clarke before gaining notoriety as Frank Gardiner.
• In 1862 he helped lead the Lachlan Gold Escort robbery near Eugowra, stealing cash and about 77 kilograms of gold in Australia’s largest gold heist.
• Mounted police ambushed the gang on Wheogo Hill near Forbes and recovered much of the haul, yet some gold was never found and still draws treasure seekers.
• Captured and returned to Sydney, he received 32 years’ hard labour in 1864, then obtained conditional release in 1872 requiring exile under Governor Sir Hercules Robinson’s decision.
• After leaving for the United States in 1874, he ran saloons on San Francisco’s Kearny and Brannan streets, with reports placing his death around 1882 though the details remain unclear.