Hewitt's History Files

Firstly he will be going by choice, whereas John West, one time resident of Bepton and Weston was transported.

And secondly, Stuart will be going out there to be with family. John, with the exception of his brother, was forced to leave family behind for the island state of Tasmania.

The consolation for John perhaps was that things could have been even worse. If 15 years' transportation for stealing sheep sounds rather on the harsh side, then reflect on this- had it happened a few years earlier he would almost certainly have been hanged.