George Cornell (c. 1928-March 9, 1966) was a British mobster and member of the Richardson Gang. 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... The Richardson Gang were a gang of infamous South London criminals in the 1960s, they vied the Krays for their reputation as Londons most infamous and sadistic gangsters. ...

A childhood friend of the Kray Twins, Cornell was a prominant criminal in London's East End during the 1960s and, upon moving to South London, was enlisted by Kray rivals Eddie Richardson and "Mad" Frankie Fraser and primarily used by the Richardson's in conversations with the Kray's. In 1965, Cornell was approched in The Windows (or Blind Beggar pub) by Ronnie Kray who shot him in the forehead, killing him instantly. Although he was identified by several eyewitnesses as he calmly left the public house, no one would agree to testify against him and police were forced to release him from custody. The Kray twins, Reginald (left) and Ronald. ... Mad Frankie Fraser Francis Davidson Fraser - better known as Mad Frankie Fraser (born 13 December 1923) is a notorious former British criminal and gang member who spent more than half of his life in prison for numerous violent offences. ... The Blind Beggar is a pub located at 337 Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London. ...

Reasons for Cornell's death may have been attributed to a recent gangland shooting of Dickie Hart, a cousin of the Kray's, where Cornell was placed at the scene at the Mr. Smith and the Witchdoor bar. Another reason may have been a dispute between Ronnie and Cornell, originating from an alledged insult regarding Ron's rumored sexuality.

References

• Devito, Carlo. Encyclopedia of International Organized Crime. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. ISBN 0-8160-4848-7

External links

• George Cornell at Find-A-Grave