George was the fourth child of the convict - Robert METCALF and his wife, Sarah ELLIS.
 

From about the age of 5 years he lived with his family in the town of Kyneton. As he reached adulthood, he became well known in the district of Kyneton where he always bore an excellent character as a steady, hardworking man.

George did not marry and just before his 34th birthday - on Sunday 28 June 1880 - he was shot during the Ned Kelly siege at Glenrowen.

He was employed with five others in quarrying stone near Glenrowen and on the morning of the celebrated Sunday was wakened by the Ned Kelly gang, and along with his mates was compelled to tear up the line.

Afterwards he was locked up with the others in the Glenrowen Hotel and when the fight commenced was lying on the floor near the chimney.

He was severely wounded in the eyes by the first volley that was fired by the police. After the fight he was sent down to the Eye and Ear Institution at Melbourne.

He was discharged from the hospital in early October 1880, but stayed in Fitzroy at "the Wilson's" for further treatment and until he was fit enough to travel back to Kyneton.

He died on the 15 October 1880 from the injuries received four months previously at Glenrowen.

In a letter dated 12 September, to his sister Sarah he says:

Dear Sarah,

You must excuse me for not writing before. My eyes were too weak and I didn't like to bother Mr Wilson, and I didn't know anyone else, but it's better late than never.

My eyes are getting on very well, but I don't know when I can leave Melbourne, for they are very weak yet.

I pass my time very well when the sun is not too strong I go down Bourke Street every evening.

Last week I got a pass from Mr Tichanar a watchmaker, to go in to the exhibition but I could not see much, for they were only unpacking then.

I like Wilson's, they are very nice people, I don't send my washing out.

I havn't seen Mr Thornton since I left the hospital. I expect (he) is in work.

I expect you will put this letter in a glass case and keep it. I don't put the words so close for it makes my eyes water.

It will take two trains to bring this letter.

"There is a man at Wilson's, a tall short complexioned gentleman. He is 5'6" in height and 27 years of age, pink hair, green eyes, mauve eyebrows, swallow tail trousers and double barrelled frock coat with tripe collar. He is deaf and dumb of one eye, and limps a little with the other"

That's all I have to say. I send my kind love to all, I will tell you.
Remember me to father and mother and them all.

Yours truly,

George Metcalf.
 

George was in Melbourne for treatment for his eyes when he wrote this letter. The Kelly Gang fiasco at Glenrowen was on 28 June 1880, after being injured there, George came to Melbourne for treatment, dying in October.

In the book, Australia Son, by Max Brown, he mentions George being shot in the eye at Glenrowen.
(pages 174 & 194, paperback edition, revised. published Angus & Robertson 1980)

In the book, Ned Kelly - a short life, by Ian Jones, he also mentions George being shot and also that Louis Piazzi (the only civilian witness) came up with a story that George Metcalf was shot by Ned Kelly himself, not by the police as first thought.
(pages 250 & 284, hardcover edition, published 1995)
 

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