The story of the most famous gangster you've never heard of: Tommy Smithson was a friend of the Krays..
'Scarface' Tommy Smithson was one of the few men The Krays are thought to have looked up to
Liverpool-born Tommy Smithson isn't a famous name or face, even in British gangland lore. But he was an influential figure who - arguably - was unlucky to have been forgotten. A former sailor-turned-robber, it was while working as a croupier that he got the idea to muscle in on some of Soho's cash-rich gambling establishments...
Smithson's soon-to-be famous fans
By 1954, Smithson had formed a gang. In it were two young twins from Hoxton by the name 'Kray'. Ronnie and Reggie learned plenty from 'Scarface' before leaving to run their own racket soon after. They parted on handshakes, however. While The Kray twins would go on to carve up London, Tommy Smithson would meet a sticky end while attempting a one-man coup of Soho.
Read all about it: Smithson met his maker after messing with the Maltese
Maltese gangsters ran most of the gambling rackets in London at the time. These hard men from Valletta were known for their ruthlessness and violence. But Smithson wasn't exactly one to back down from a fight. He attempted to wrestle control of the rackets away from the Maltese and it ended, unsurprisingly, in bloodshed all round. Tommy would be gunned down.
The rear of 88 Carlton Vale in Kilburn where Tommy was murdered
The Maltese didn't kill Smithson immediately. He was no pushover. In fact, they let him run his protection racket in Soho, giving him 'a shilling in the pound' (more than £500 a night). Had he been sensible, Smithson could've retired a wealthy man indeed. Instead, he would die here at 88 Carlton Vale in Kilburn, aged just 36.
Marlene Bates kissing Victor Spanpinato, who was found not guilty of the murder of Tommy Smithson
The house where the shooting took place was a 'cathouse' or brothel, owned by George Caruana. Tommy was in the room of Marlene Bates when Philip Ellul, Victor Spampinato and Joe Zammit burst in, guns blazing. Spanpinato (pictured with Bates) and Zammit were found not guilty of the murder.
Philip Ellul would go down for Tommy's brutal murder
Philip Alloysia Ellul was found guilty of Tommy Smithson's murder and sentenced to death. Ellul had, the court agreed, shot Smithson in the arm and neck after a row involving extortion and prostitutes. Just 48 hours before he was due to be hung, Ellul's sentence was commuted to Life. He served 11 years of his sentence.
After doing 'porridge', Phil Ellul - seen arriving today in a police van to Willesden Police court - left the UK in a hurry
Before Ellul left, he would visit Soho once more to pick up some money owed to him. But because of the much-loved Smithson's murder, Ellul received short shrift. 'Don't ever come back,' he was told. 'If you do, we'll have a pair of concrete boots waiting for you.' He never returned.
The scene at Wilman Grove, East London, as the funeral procession leaves the house for the funeral of Smithson
Tommy Smithson may not have gone down in history as a major player of Gangland London, but he was an influential figure. His funeral, like many of his peers, was a big affair. Legend has it that Smithson was known for his bad luck and as the hearse pulled out for the funeral procession, the car instantly got a puncture...
A proper East London send-off
The funeral of slain criminal Tommy Smithson was a classic cockney gangster affair (despite him being from Liverpool). It was lavish and serious money had been spent. A procession, slick black hearse (albeit one with a flat tyre), elaborate wreaths... And, of course, an appearance from Ronnie and Reggie Kray.
Mourners, including Tommy Smithson's brothers, at Tommy's funeral
As mourners wept and grieved, some were buoyed by the stories of Tommy's past and his famed sense of humour. His last words, in particular, raised a few titters. By all accounts the people found him dying heard him say, 'Good morning... I'm dying!'
A twist in the tale: Tommy's mother Mrs Smithson, (centre) with two friends, leaving Bow Street Magistrates Court
Here we see Tommy's mother (centre) and two friends leaving Bow Street Magistrates Court in 1956. Just over a decade later Phil Ellul would be released from prison. And a decade later police re-investigated the case and arrested pornographer and racketeer Bernie Silver for the murder. Silver later got off on appeal.
The forgotten gangster: Not forgotten by all, his estranged widow Jessie sent a funeral wreath
Here's Jessie Smithson, the window of Tommy Smithson. Jessie had left Tommy more than a decade prior to his death and did not attend his funeral. She did instead send a six-foot wreath of flowers in the shape of a cross. She later told The Daily Mirror why... 'I sent it to the man I once knew and loved.'
