Harry Power

Henry Johnson ( – 11 October 1891), better known by his alias Harry Power, was an Irish-born convict who became a bushranger in Australia. From 1869 to 1870, he was accompanied by a young Ned Kelly, who went on to become Australia's best known bushranger.

Power escaped from Pentridge Prison twice, in 1862 and 1869. He was known for his affable demeanour and sense of flair, as well as the fact that he never killed any of his targets.

Early life Henry Johnson, also known as Johnston or Johnstone, was born in County Waterford, Ireland around 1820. When he was only sixteen years of age his father had him apprenticed to the saddler trade. His education consisted chiefly of learning to horseback ride. Later he joined the peasants in their conflicts with British troops. It was during this time that he received sabre wounds on his face, which are described in the Victorian police records as, "scar over right eyebrow, scars on right cheek."

Transportation Johnson was convicted at Salford, Lancashire, on 31 August 1840 for stealing a pair of shoes, and was sentenced to transportation for seven years. He arrived in Hobart on the Isabella on 21 May 1842. thumb After his release in 1885, Power worked on the former prison hulk Success when it became a museum ship.

Escapes from Pentridge Prison After two and a half years in the hulks, Johnson was transferred to Pentridge Prison. He escaped Pentridge in 1862 by hiding in a rubbish cart. Whilst helping a group of convicts build a wall, he noticed a grassy hollow in the wall and hid there when the guards escorted the group back to gaol. He subsequently escaped in the direction of Merri Creek and took refuge above the Glenmore homestead There were claims that during these robberies Power had a young assistant who took care of the horses. Suspicion fell on Kelly. However he soon returned to Victoria. One contemporary newspaper alleged that Power had committed suicide, but this is considered unlikely.

Power's relationship with Kelly is depicted in the 1980 miniseries The Last Outlaw, where he was played by Gerard Kennedy. The relationship is also depicted in Peter Carey's Booker Prize-winning novel True History of the Kelly Gang. In the 2019 film adaptation of the novel, Power was portrayed by Russell Crowe, opposite Orlando Schwerdt as a young Ned Kelly.