Hi Ted
We can only speculate why Richard and Thomas committed their crime. (And there was the third accomplice "Reynolds" - I wonder if he was ever caught?). Did Richard resent the disparity of the financial position of his uncle Benjamin Halfpenny? Halfpenny was a rich man and Richard had no money to buy a coffin for his child.
I have fully researched Thomas Pye's life and written it up. His employer wrote about Thomas in his book "Old Melbourne Memories" referring to him as "Joe Burge". This book can be read online - the author is Rolf Boldrewood.
I have not looked into Richard Corbett in much detail. I believe he was assigned to the Ryrie brothers (of Yarra Glen?), but how he obtained the station Rutherford? on Western Port Bay is not known by me. He committed suicide - it appears his second marriage was not a happy one.
Liz
