The Post-mortem
The post-mortem found that Barclay had been murdered by a shotgun blast in the back, and had been dead for several weeks by the time of discovery. At the inquest that followed, McKerral said; “I am of the opinion that Barclay and Bamford had an argument over working matters and that Bamford loaded the gun and shot Barclay. He removed his working clothes, and dressed himself in Barclay’s suit, which is missing, saddled his horse and after dragging the deceased to the creek, rode the horse away.” The verdict of the inquest was murder by person or persons unknown, probably sometime between 21 December 1917 and 4 January 1918.
Jim Barclay’s body was handed to his extended family who lived on the Mornington Peninsula, and he was buried at Tyabb Cemetery.
Read more about this topic: Wonnangatta Murders