Ronnie Kray: East London’s Criminal Twin
Ronald Kray (24 October 1933 – 17 March 1995) was an English organised crime figure and identical twin brother. He and his brother Reginald led the Firm, a criminal enterprise based in Bethnal Green that dominated East London’s underworld from the late 1950s until their arrest in 1968.
Early Life and Education
Ronald and Reginald Kray were born on 24 October 1933 in Haggerston, East London, to Charles David Kray and Violet Annie Lee. Reggie was born ten minutes before Ronnie. Their parents were from the East End—Charles from Shoreditch and Violet from Bethnal Green—and were of mixed Irish, Austrian Jewish and Romanichal descent, though this has been disputed. The family also included an older brother, Charles James, born in 1927, and a sister Violet born in 1929 who died in infancy.
The twins’ mother dominated the household and remained their most important influence throughout childhood. Their father worked as a rag-and-bone man with a heavy drinking habit, frequently travelling across southern England for work and spending more time in pubs than at home. The twins attended Wood Close School in Brick Lane and then Daniel Street School in Bethnal Green. In 1938 the family moved to 178 Vallance Road in Bethnal Green, where they would remain.
During the Second World War, the twins were evacuated to East House in Hadleigh, Suffolk with their mother and older brother, staying about a year before returning to London. While there they attended Bridge Street Boys’ School. Their maternal grandfather, Jimmy “Cannonball” Lee, introduced them to amateur boxing, a common pursuit for working-class East End boys. Ronnie was the more aggressive of the two, frequently involved in street fights as a teenager.
Career and Achievements
The Kray twins were called up for National Service in the British Army in March 1952, reporting to the Royal Fusiliers depot at the Tower of London. They attempted to leave within minutes, and when a corporal tried to stop them, Ronnie punched him seriously on the jaw. The twins walked home and were arrested the next morning. In September of that year, while absent without leave, they assaulted a police constable who attempted to arrest them.
By the late 1950s, Ronnie and Reggie had established the Firm, a criminal organisation based in Bethnal Green. Their activities included murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets, gambling and assaults. At their peak in the 1960s, the twins gained celebrity status by associating with prominent members of London society. They were photographed by renowned photographer David Bailey and appeared on television.
Notable Events and Milestones
The Kray twins were arrested on 8 May 1968 following an investigation led by Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read. They were convicted the following year and each sentenced to life imprisonment. Ronnie was certified insane and committed to Broadmoor Hospital in 1979, where he remained until his death.
Additional Resources
Ronnie Kray’s life and criminal career have been extensively documented in books, documentaries and biographical archives. Readers seeking more detailed accounts of the Kray twins’ activities, their impact on East London crime, and their imprisonment can consult Wikipedia’s comprehensive entry on the Kray twins, as well as other historical records and criminal archives.
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