To continue looking at the Kray Twins and their relationship to Bethnal Green we start again on Cheshire Street at the Carpenters Arms. This was the last pub that the twins owned and it was where Reggie Kray had a few drinks to settle his nerves before murdering Jack “the hat” in 1966. It was this murder that was the last straw before the Government decided the Krays were gaining too much power and influence in the East-End. A special Scotland Yard Team was assigned to the case and they managed to convict the twins for murder at the Old Bailey in March 1969. Today the Carpenters Arms is a friendly local but heritage of the twins remains as in the pub hangs a painting of the two local boys; Ronnie and Reggie.
After serving over 25 years in Broadmoor Prison Ronnie Kray died of a heart attack on the 17th March 1995. His funeral was held at St Matthews Church in Bethnal Green. Thousands of spectators and mourners lined the streets to pay their respects. 20 years later, the story of the Kray Family and their relationship with Bethnal Green lives on, as some of the Kray family still remain in Bethnal Green to this day.
The Carpenters Arms is on 73 Cheshire Street, E2 6EG
St Matthews Church is on St Matthew’s Row, London E2 6DT
– By Jack Anderson
