Reggie Kray’s last visit to East London - funeral of Charlie Kray - photos

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Reggie Kray and wife at the funeral of Charlie Kray, St Matthews Church, Bethnal Green on 19th April 2000

Reggie Kray has exited the church gates in this formalised tableau of an aspect of English society, of the state, the law and the individual, power and the church. 

Starting top right of the picture you have the Paparazzi straining down onto the group of prison-officers surrounding and facing legendary gang-leader Reggie Kray with wife Pamela. 

Freddie Foreman was a gang member close friend throughout Reg’s life inside and outside prison and is the short man who shows his left profile with wavy white hair, facing Reg.

Nearest the viewer at the back of the crowd are the people of Bethnal Green observing a significant and rare occasion.

 The three men whose backs can be seen, shaved heads and Crombie coats were members of hundreds of Dave Cortney’s security detail.

  I had seen the smiling Courney with outlaw motor-cycle gang "The Outcasts” in the Sun Tavern opposite English’s Funeral Directors before the cortege moved off while waiting for Reg to arrive by pale silver-blue van from his prison.

The undertakers are grouped around the back of the heurse and beneath Christ’s outcast arms in the Roman Arch a flood of faces pour out of the funeral of the decade for Bethnal Green although out-done in scale and surprise by Ronnie’s funeral.

One of the Lambrianou brothers is apparently visible in the crowd of family, friends, C’lebs and slags leaving from the West Door.

The life-long rebellious gang leader meekly participates in the Church of England ceremony and with the two other murderers and many violent criminals a meek acceptance and deference to the Church. Here is a triumph of England’s ancient institutions, the Church and the Law.

photographs ©pnroundhill2000