Thomas Clarke was born around 1840, near Braidwood in New South Wales, Australia. He and his younger brother John were raised in the isolated Jingeras region, born into a family whose patriarch, John Clarke Sr., was a former convict turned bootmaker and cattle thief. The family lived on a modest leasehold, supported more by cattle theft than honest labor. Thomas and John grew up without schooling or religious instruction.

By the early 1860s, Thomas and John were working as stockmen, often colluding in widespread cattle-stealing rackets across the region. In 1865, John was imprisoned for horse-stealing, and Thomas himself was detained for assault and robbery—but family loyalty prevailed: Thomas was helped to escape from Braidwood Gaol in October 1865.

This escape ignited what would become a reign of terror. Soon, Thomas joined forces with his brother John, uncle Patrick Connell, and other kin and mates to form the infamous Clarke Gang—sometimes called the “Jingera Mob.”

Between October 1865 and May 1866, Thomas Clarke and company perpetrated at least three horse-stealings, eight robberies—including mail and post offices—and the wounding of a man named John Emmett. Most horrifically, on April 9, 1866, they murdered Constable Miles O’Grady during a raid in Nerrigundah—cementing their reputation as violent outlaws.

The carnage and lawlessness spurred the New South Wales government to pass the Felons’ Apprehension Act, which allowed bushrangers to be declared outlaws and legally shot on sight. Thomas—and his uncle Patrick Connell—were officially proclaimed outlaws by 5–15 June 1866.

The gang’s activity did not relent. On June 1, 1866, they looted Michelago’s store and inn, drunkenly terrorizing locals for hours. Their brutality escalated to its nadir on 9 January 1867, when they ambushed and executed four special constables—John Carroll, Patrick Kennagh, Eneas McDonnell, and John Phegan—binding them to trees before gunning them down. A blood-soaked pound note pinned to Carroll’s clothing served as a chilling warning to pursuing law enforcement.

As 1867 began, the gang was slowly collapsing—key members were dead or jailed. Patrick Connell was killed in July 1866 during a police shootout. Only Thomas and John remained.

Then, on April 27, 1867, a well-coordinated police effort led by Senior Constable Wright and tracker Sir Watkin Wynne cornered the brothers at Berry’s Hut near Jinden Creek after a brutal shootout. John was wounded; Wynne was critically injured. The brothers, despite the violence, surrendered—reportedly even shaking hands with their captors.

Following their capture, Thomas and John were swiftly prosecuted. Their trial on May 28, 1867—lasting just a day—resulted in their conviction for wounding Constable Walsh with intent to murder. The jury delivered a unanimous verdict in just 67 minutes. The presiding judge stressed that their execution was essential to maintain societal peace.

On June 25, 1867, both brothers were executed by hanging at Darlinghurst Gaol, ending the era of mass-organized gang bushranging in New South Wales