10 Most Unusual Facts About The Krays – The Kray Twins

One of the most famous and feared gangsters in history, particularly in the UK, are Ronnie and Reggie Kray. Ruling London with an iron-grip during the 1960’s, their blend of violence and glamour still fascinates us today. Eventually caught by the police and sentenced to life imprisonment, they have both now passed away. Their story lives on though as can be seen in the recent Tom Hardy film, Legend.

The streets of East London during the 1950s and 60s echoed with tales of two names. Reggie and Ronnie, better known as the Kray Twins. Their aura was not just of mere nightclub owners or charismatic gentlemen, but of fierce underworld rulers who commanded with an iron fist. But what made the Kray Twins so famous? The answer is multifaceted.

The twins’ rapid ascent to the pinnacle of London’s criminal underworld was backed by a potent blend of intelligence, audacity, and sheer brutality. They owned West End nightclubs, rubbed shoulders with celebrities and politicians. And were even photographed by David Bailey, intertwining their criminal exploits with their glamorous social lives. As the facade of their public persona showed glitz and charm, the shadows bore tales of extortion, violence, and ruthless control. So, as we prepare to delve into some of the lesser-known facets of their life, let’s begin with the 10 most unusual facts about The Krays.

10 – They Enjoyed Poetry

London gangster Reginald Reggie Kray in 1968 - Facts About The Krays
London gangster Reginald Reggie Kray in 1968. By The National Archives UK (Drinks with Reggie) [No restrictions]. Via Wikimedia Commons
When you think of past-times for hard, scary gangster’s, poetry is not the first thing that springs to mind. But, according to childhood friends from London’s East End, this is true. Both Ronnie and Reggie enjoyed writing verse and there are scores of unpublished poems they left behind in notebooks.

09 – The Spent Time in the Tower of London

Tower of London
Tower of London – By Bob Collowân (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0]. via Wikimedia Commons
This is pretty amazing but totally true. In 1950’s, the UK still had National Service where young men had to serve a year in army by law. The twins didn’t fancy this at all and went on the run from their barracks instead. When caught in 1952, they were put in the Tower of London for a few days. This made them one of the last people to ever be held there.

08 – Lucien Freud Owed Them Money

Lucien Freud - Facts About The Krays
Lucien Freud – By procsilas (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Allegedly the famous English painter Lucien Freud owed the Krays around £500,000 in gambling debts. He was obviously better with a brush in his hand than cards! Naturally, the twins wanted the money off him and he once had to cancel an exhibition in case they found out and came down looking for it!

07 – There Were Three Kray Brothers

Charlie Kray
Charlie Kray

Although only two twins in Ronnie and Reggie, there were actually three brothers in total. Charlie Kray was also a member of their gang, ‘The Firm’, but stayed out of the limelight. The law caught up with him eventually though and he was convicted of his part in a £93 million drug smuggling ring in 1997, aged 70.

06 – The Cigarette Punch

Cigarette Punch
Cigarette Punch

As shown by Tom Hardy in Legend, Reggie Kray developed a very effective way to break someone’s jaw over the years, namely ‘The Cigarette Punch’. He would offer someone a cigarette and when they went to place it in their mouth, unleash a devastating hook to their jaw. As their mouth was open, breaking the jaw was almost guaranteed.

05 – The American Mafia sent a Wreath to Reggie’s Funeral

Funeral
Funeral

When Reggie Kray passed away in 2000, it was thought that the Mob in America showed solidarity by sending a wreath to the funeral. A mysterious bouquet with a picture of Manhattan on and the words ‘In deep respect, from your friends, New York’ was thought to be theirs.

04 – Ronnie Kray Wanted To Set Up a City in Africa

Ronnie Kray - Facts About The Krays
Ronnie Kray

When it came to the twins, Reggie was the sensible businessman and Ronnie was more the grand dreamer. In a way, that is why they were such a formidable partnership. One of Ronnie’s big ideas was to use vast amounts of the twins cash to set up his very own new city in Africa. He dreamed of being some sort of feudal lord in charge of it that could look after the inhabitants and enjoy their adulation. Not surprisingly, it didn’t happen.

03 – Jack the Hat’s Liver Came Out

Krays
Krays

One of the killings they were convicted for was that of Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie. A low-level operator in The Firm, the twins were furious with him for failing to carry out a contract killing on their behalf and also his general bad behaviour. After luring him to a party in a basement flat, Reggie Kray stabbed McVitie numerous times and killed him. It got so bad at one point that his liver came out and had to be flushed down the toilet!

02 – They Were Both Fine Boxers

George Feeney boxing - Facts About The Krays
George Feeney boxing – By Museum of Hartlepool [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
It’s no secret that both twins were hard as nails and could handle themselves in a fight. A lot of this stemmed from their boxing training when youngsters growing up. The training kept them in great physical shape and the techniques they learnt proved invaluable out on the street. Reggie was the better of the two but Ronnie was also very handy in the ring.

01 – They Were Buried At the Same Cemetery

Chingford Mount Cemetery
Chingford Mount Cemetery – By Edwardx (Own work). [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Kray Twins were very proud of their East End roots and were buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery in the area. Both funerals drew huge crowds as numerous old friends and the public came to pay their last respects.

The Kray Twins name will forever be etched into the criminal history books. Not only for their crimes but also their personal lives. Mixing celebrity, violence, glamour and swagger into a lethal cocktail they were true legends of their time.

Legacy and Downfall: The Kray’s London

How did the Krays get caught? The web of crime they wove for years eventually ensnared them. Their downfall was a mix of their own overconfidence and diligent police work. The audacious murder of George Cornell at the Blind Beggar pub, in front of multiple witnesses, became a cornerstone in their eventual incarceration. Though many were too terrified to testify against the brothers, the persistent efforts of the police bore fruit when members of their own gang turned against them.

And why were the Krays so violent? Some attribute it to their boxing background. But others suggest a need to maintain an aura of invincibility in the dog-eat-dog world of London’s underworld. But beneath the veneer of their public image, their penchant for violence was driven by a combination of personal vendettas, business disputes, and sheer power play. Their reign was a testament to how fear could grip a city. And how legends – no matter how dark – are forged.

Post-Krays: The Underworld Evolution

A city’s underworld never remains vacant for long. With the Kray Twins behind bars, the question arose: Who took over London after the Krays? The answer isn’t straightforward. Multiple gangs and crime families attempted to fill the vacuum, with the likes of the Richardsons from South London becoming significant players. Yet, no one truly replicated the Krays’ blend of fear, respect, and celebrity status.

But are any of the Krays family still alive? The legacy of the Krays is not limited to crime reports and movies. Their family lineage continues, with relatives giving interviews and writing books, attempting to paint a more holistic image of the twins. However, their most direct lineage, Reggie’s son, died young, and the broader family has largely stayed out of the limelight.

There you have it, an initial foray into the world of two of Britain’s most infamous gangsters. As we move forward, we’ll uncover the myriad layers of their enigmatic existence, from their humble beginnings in Bethnal Green to becoming names that history would never forget.