Ronnie and Reggie Kray, born on October 23rd, 1933 in Hoxton, East London, rose to infamy as the most notorious gangsters in London during the 1950s and 1960s. Their criminal empire included involvement in protection rackets, armed robberies, arson, assaults, and two high-profile murders witnessed by others. Despite their criminal activities, they also managed a successful West End nightclub where they entertained celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, George Raft, Barbara Windsor, and Diana Dors.
The twins, of Irish and Romany Gypsy descent, moved from Hoxton to Vallance Road in Bethnal Green at a young age. Encouraged by their grandfather Jimmy Lee, a former boxer, they took up the sport themselves, achieving some success in amateur boxing. Their boxing careers, however, were cut short due to their criminal records and escalating involvement in illegal activities.
In 1952, both brothers were conscripted into national service with the Royal Fusiliers. Their military careers were short-lived, marked by insubordination and violence. They attempted to desert their duties shortly after enlisting, resulting in a serious altercation with a corporal. Subsequently, they were confined in the Tower of London, one of the last prisoners held there, before being transferred to a military prison in Somerset. They were court-martialed, found guilty, and sentenced to jail in Canterbury. The incident led to their dishonorable discharge from the army, further cementing their paths into full-time criminal endeavors.
Following their release, the Krays ventured into organized crime, purchasing an old snooker club in Mile End. From there, they operated various criminal enterprises, including protection rackets and involvement in armed robberies orchestrated with a Liverpool gangster. Their criminal profits enabled them to acquire additional clubs and properties throughout London.
In 1960, Ronnie Kray was incarcerated for running a protection racket, during which time Reggie expanded their influence by acquiring Esmeralda’s Barn, a nightclub in Knightsbridge, from notorious landlord Peter Rachman.
The Krays gained further notoriety in 1964 when the Sunday Mirror published an article suggesting Ronnie Kray’s involvement in a homosexual relationship with Conservative peer Lord Boothby, at a time when homosexuality was illegal. The Krays forcefully intervened, threatening the journalists involved and coercing the newspaper into retracting the article, paying Lord Boothby £40,000 in damages, and sacking its editor.
Despite their criminal activities being well-known to law enforcement, witnesses were often too fearful to testify against the Krays due to their reputation for extreme violence and intimidation tactics. This shielded them from significant legal repercussions for years.
In March 1966, tensions between the Krays and rival gangs reached a deadly peak when Richard Hart, an associate of the Krays, was killed in a shooting involving the Richardson gang at a nightclub in Catford. The following day, Ronnie Kray fatally shot George Cornell, a member of the Richardson gang, at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel. The brazen nature of the murder, committed in broad daylight and in close proximity to the Kray brothers’ residence, intensified public and police scrutiny.
Later that year, the Krays orchestrated the escape of Frank Mitchell, a criminal associate from Dartmoor prison. Mitchell’s erratic behavior posed challenges for the Krays, who eventually faced charges for his murder after he disappeared. The brothers stood trial but were ultimately acquitted due to lack of conclusive evidence.
In October 1967, Ronnie reportedly ordered Reggie to eliminate Jack “The Hat” McVitie, another Kray gang member who had failed to fulfill a contract killing. McVitie was lured to a flat in Stoke Newington under the pretense of a party, where Reggie attempted to shoot him but the gun failed to fire. A violent altercation ensued, resulting in McVitie’s brutal murder by Reggie with a large carving knife.
The McVitie murder marked a turning point in public opinion against the Krays, prompting witnesses to come forward with crucial testimony to Scotland Yard. In May 1968, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, along with 15 associates known as their “Firm,” were arrested and charged with a range of offenses including murder, conspiracy, and extortion.
In March 1969, the Kray twins were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr. Justice Melford Stevenson, presiding over the trial, famously remarked, “In my view, society has earned a rest from your activities.”
The legacy of the Krays continues to fascinate, with numerous films, books, and tours dedicated to their lives and criminal exploits. The Krays Tour offers enthusiasts the opportunity to explore significant locations associated with the brothers, including filming sites from movies like The Krays, Face, The Crying Game, and Gangster No 1. Visitors can delve into the methods used by these notorious gangsters and engage in a Q&A session with Stephen, who portrayed Nick the Greek in Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
For more inside information why not join us on our Krays Tour. Learn about some of the methods used by some of the most feared gangsters in 1950s and 1960s London. Visit the location where Vinnie Jones had his first day of filming for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and other film locations including some from The Krays, Face, The Crying Game and Gangster No 1. At the end of the tour you can enjoy a Q&A session with Stephen.
