By In his final years he ran a. In May 2001, aged 71 and having suffered three strokes, Biggs voluntarily returned to England. Dad hugged me and I went back to school. Buster retired from C.E. Satchwell also puts up another name, that of Freddie Sansom, the uncle of the Arsenal footballer Kenny Sansom. He travelled with his family to Canada, Mexico and Montreal, but he was caught on 24 January 1968,when his wife telephoned her parents in England, enabling Scotland Yard to track him down. All rights reserved. Fact title. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-nine years, Patty Sue Carroll Edwards on February 1, 2021, and one sister, Evelyn Hampton. Why this interest in the minutiae of long-past crimes? His death, however, opened up more speculations and theories. June Edwards was previously married to Buster Edwards. At the time of his death, he was under pressure due to an investigation by the police as part of an inquiry into a suspected large-scale fraud. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. If we visited a pub, drinks would be lined up for him, and I, as Terry Hogans daughter, could have anything I wanted. Southwark Coroner's Court was told that Mr Edwards - whose colourful life and role in the robbery was made into the 1988 film Buster - suffered from acute depression and had a serious drink problem. My sister helped me through my grief and her own, and was a constant support as our mothers dementia increased, until her death two years ago. Things started to fall into place. The heist has gone down in history, not only for the huge amount of cash that was stolen, but as some gang members escaped from prison and attempted to start their lives again elsewhere as fugitives. Edwards later retracted these claims. Buster Edwardss income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. Sir Montague Levine, the coroner, said that Mr Edwards, 62, who spent three years on the run in Europe and Mexico before serving nine years for his part in the 2m raid on the Euston-to-Glasgow train in 1963, drank a bottle of vodka a day. A small bottle of vodka - one-third full - was found discarded by his body. In the book, my father is named Harry as always, he wanted to stay the unknown robber. Later "Buster" was released on bail "Buster" Edwards pictured in April, 1975. The following year, the Great Train Robbery took place and 2.6 million (37 million today) was stolen from a mail train travelling from Glasgow to London. You can always change this later in your Account settings. After my fathers death, Bruce wrote a book about his life and his relationship with Dad. Edwards declined to chase Fletcher for fear of leaving his stall unattended. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Mr Edwards opened the stall after being released from prison in 1975. He breaks into a shop to steal a suit, into which he then changes to attend a funeral. For a while, he had been a contender, a supernova that shot high in the sky but gradually faded away. "It wasn't even the money. At the age of 14 he had been kicked out of school, but he used his time in prison to educate himself, and went on to explore authors such as Hemingway and Camus. See Photos. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. ). His father was an East End bookmaker, his mother a milkwoman, and he could never remember a time when he was held or kissed or nurtured. He disappeared from the public eye. He then moved to Canada and France under false identities, in search of work, before returning to the United Kingdom, after five years on the run. He immediately fell into criminal ways, stealing meat from the factory to sell on the black market in the post-World War II years. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites. Gangster Billy Hill, left, with underworld figures in London in 1955. Immediately, a whole new world of glamour and money opened up to her and she grabbed it with both hands. Buster and another leading gang member, Bruce Reynolds, took their families to Mexico, leading extravagant lifestyles - summed up neatly by one of the most memorable songs from the soundtrack of the movie "Buster", the catchy Four Tops track "Loco in Acapulco". But he added he was sure the depression and drinking stemmed from his nine years in prison. He explained to me that the bags had been full of Great Train Robbery money that he was looking after for a night or two. For his part, Dad came from a dysfunctional family. @TheBishF1 I used to pass Buster Edwards flower stall by Waterloo Station (even buying flowers occasionally ) in the early nineties and he did appear to be a very friendly bloke. A former Paratrooper who was on the run for three years after the heist. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He was involved in the theft of 62,000 (1.41million today) from Comet House, the headquarters of British Overseas Airways Corporation at Heathrow Airport, in 1962. Menu. Getting . Get the cameras ready b King Edward Is chain of stone fortresses, across Wales is as impos Did you know that Ireland was presented with crown jewels by both H Where ancient Roman history and legend make romance in the small We Daphne du Maurier came from a line of distinguished eccentrics. After my parents divorced, Dad took up with Roz, a beauty who loved him with a passion. The driver and two attendants were pulled out; the van was stolen. And the suggestion of Billy Hills involvement? Boarding school was tough. Are these the prettiest streets in Britain? Edwards, 63, was found by. Depp had rece Top 10 Highest Paid Female Model In The World, Teams That Won The Stanley Cup In The Last 10 Years. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. He was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in jail. In 2012, Reynolds was portrayed in the television series Mrs Biggs by Jay Simpson. With careful planning based on inside information from an individual known as The Ulsterman, the robbers escaped with over 2.6 million (equivalent to 53.5 million today). cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Try again later. I would sit on the steps of the pub listening to the music, but my mother was always busy. Until I was 15, I had no idea of my fathers criminal background. Wilson was treasurer of the gang, and when captured and in his court case for the heist, he refused to say anything, so he got the nickname the silent man. I adored him. ", Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Entombment services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, in the Evergreen Mausoleum. Examples featuring Bruce Reynolds include: Die Gentlemen bitten zur Kasse[de] (The Gentleman Prefers Payment, also known as Great British Train Robbery) which aired on ARD in 1966 and featured Horst Tappert as Reynolds, Robbery (1967) with Stanley Baker as a character based upon Reynolds, and Buster (1988) with Larry Lamb as Reynolds. Never mind whodunnits; theres now a genre of whoreallydunnits. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. A self-confessed heavy who the gang used to frighten train staff. He was released a decade later. He died in 2012. He was thought to have been involved in the theft of 62,000 (worth 1.33 million today) from Comet House, the headquarters of British Overseas Airways Corporation at Heathrow Airport, in 1962. He was released in 1978. based on information from your browser. Weve updated the security on the site. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. His parents, who were heavy drinkers, neglected and ignored him. Edwards later retracted these claims. The murder that happened between the era of 2003 to 2014 shook everyone in the city. Search above to list available cemeteries. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. The Great Train gang intercepted the GlasgowLondon mail train in Buckinghamshire in the early hours of 8 August 1963. Mother often said that when times were good, she felt like she was living in a Hollywood film; she would mix with the rich and famous at Londons top nightclubs. He came to fame following a 1988 film Buster, in which he was played by musician Phil Collins. But as his daughter, I will love him always. I had a flashback of once helping Dad drag black bags into the garage. Log In. He was also the subject of the song "Have You Seen Bruce Richard Reynolds", originally by Nigel Denver and later covered by the UK band Alabama 3. He was married to June Rose Rothery. English Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? [5] After making friends with both Charlie and Eddie Richardson whilst in prison, Reynolds was released from HMP Maidstone in 1978. My mother was often left on her own, and their relationship began to break down. Buster Edwards Ronald Christopher " Buster " Edwards (27 January 1931 - 28 November 1994) was a British criminal who was a member of the gang that committed the Great Train Robbery. Dad had been Bruce Reynoldss mentor, and Bruce became Dads greatest friend. Deceased (1931-1994)Buster Edwards / Living or Deceased Back then, prison officers carried wooden truncheons. The driver, Jack Mills, was beaten over the head and suffered from related complications for the rest of his lifeopinion is divided as to whether the injury was a factor in his death. Sir Montague said the family could take comfort from the knowledge that Mr Edwards must have lost consciousness quickly and suffered no pain. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Buster Edwards `too drunk' to have committed suicide, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Get up to 10% off using the Booking.com app, 50 off over 650 using this Expedia discount code, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected product with this eBay voucher code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Buster Edwards can be seen making a cameo appearance in the film Buster alongside Phil Collins' wife Jill in the scene in which Buster and June land in Mexico, he and Jill walk out of the airport in front of Buster and June Edwards. Director David Green Writer Colin Shindler Stars Phil Collins Julie Walters Larry Lamb See production, box office & company info Search on Amazon search for Blu-ray and DVD Add to Watchlist Added by 3.0K users Deanna O'Connor tells his story. He could not be extradited because there was no extradition treaty between Britain and Brazil, and additionally he became the father to a Brazilian son, which afforded him legal immunity. He died in July 1985. The robbers took just the engine and second carriage a half a mile further along the track to the point where they had army vans waiting to unload the mailbags into. Medical reports noted his family had "been at the end of their tether" trying to stop him drinking. Congratulations on this excellent venture what a great idea! In 1993, he shot and wounded his father in-law, pistol-whipped and partially strangled his ex-wife, after they had returned their children for a days outing. Heres your need to know on what actually happened, and what happened to the robbers involved in the incident. The case closed in an open verdict. Buster Edwards Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. He was born August 6, 1946 in the Tundra Community near Canton to Fred and Johnnie Cooper Edwards. [5] He died in his sleep on the afternoon of 28 February 2013 at the age of 81. He was a United States Army Veteran. Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards (27 January 1931 28 November 1994) was a British criminal who was a member of the gang that committed the GreatTrainRobbery. Never to tell anyone where my father was. The deep bond between the two men started to crumble. Oops, something didn't work. He was a member of Canah Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. We had parties and holidays like anyone else; it never occurred to me to wonder where the money came from our mother simply told us Dad was a businessman. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. The gang's temporary hideout at Leatherslade Farm was quickly found. There is a problem with your email/password. Dad didnt want his daughters to grow up feeling emotionally neglected like him, so he went the opposite way, praising even our smallest achievements. He joined a gang with a future close friend Harry Booth and his future brother-in-law John Daly. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. We will update Buster Edwardss Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Buster Edwards. A system error has occurred. Edwards and another gang member, Bruce Reynolds, took their families to Mexico. Early and private life Edwards was born in Lambeth, the son of a barman. Who were the ones who got away? The fear of the police. It will enhance any encyclopedic page you visit with the magic of the WIKI 2 technology. After leaving school, he worked in a sausage factory, where he began his criminal career by stealing meat to sell on the post-war blackmarket. The judge, Mr Justice Edmund Davies, told them it was a crime that in its impudence and its enormity is the first of its kind in this country. Fletcher was seen to run off on to York Road with the flowers. The pathologist, Dr Vesna Djurovic, said he had died just before he was discovered. Hogan was sentenced to 2 years and Reynolds to 3 years imprisonment. Multiple media properties and parodies have been produced about the Great Train Robbery [see Details of the Great Train Robbery and the robbers]. This is a carousel with slides. After the train heist, Reynolds escaped to Mexico with his wife, Angela, with his share of the money, said to be 150,000. July / August 2021 issue of British Heritage Travel. After the gang robs a London to Glasgow Royal Mail train in 1963, he takes his family into . See Photos. Most of the gang were captured, tried, and imprisoned, but Edwards evaded arrest with his 150,000 share of the stolen money. Please enter your email and password to sign in. [12], He joined a gang with a future close friend Harry Booth and his future brother-in-law John Daly. He looked serious and we sat in silence gazing at the sea. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? After learning about the robbery and sentencing of the Edwards, people are quite curious to know where their daughter actually is. Already some of the new claims are being challenged by relatives of the men named. They had a son who they named Keith, after the nom de plume of his best friend Bruce Reynolds, one of the Great Train Robbers. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. [13] [7], Bruce Richard Reynolds was born at Charing Cross Hospital, in the Strand, central London, the only child of Thomas Richard and Dorothy Margaret (ne Keen). James was sentenced to 30 years, and went back to motor racing following his release on 15 August 1975. Leatherslade Farm had been purchased in advance as a hideout location. In 1996, James underwent triple-bypass surgery and was subsequently released from prison in 1997, only to die almost immediately afterwards on 21 August after another heart attack. The crime was so brazen that Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanded daily updates on the police investigation, and questions were asked in parliament. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Sticking to a tight time schedule they removed all but eight of the 128 sacks from the HVP carriage and made off to a property 27 miles away. [3] He gave interviews to writer Piers Paul Read, persuading him to write in his 1978 book The Train Robbers that the robbery was led by German commando Otto Skorzeny, and that Edwards was the person responsible for hitting Jack Mills. [4][5] At the Inquest following Edwards's death, a panel recorded an openverdict, based on testimony that the deceased was too intoxicated to form an intent to kill himself. Nothing could match the tension, excitement and sense of fulfillment. He has since died, and is survived by his son, who appears on the Channel 4 documentary. Going straight was hard for my father. Buster Edwards's wife June Rose Rothery died due to natural causes in 2011. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Reynolds himself appears on the Alabama 3 version. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He was an actor, known for The Underworld (1994) and Wogan (1982). It is generally believed that at least 15 men took part in the robbery; only 11 were convicted. Bruce Reynold's son Nick, if I recall, is a musician in Alabama 3 (who performed the theme song used in The Sopranos) and a sculptor. I didnt understand and tried to get him to explain, but he could never talk about his feelings. * Originally published in the July / August 2021 issue of British Heritage Travel. He was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. She followed her father's footsteps, who owned a flower shop in the 50s. Learn more about managing a memorial . Sorry! He became morose and self-absorbed. GREAT NEWS! Billy mentored a number of young men who went on to carry out some of the most notorious heists of the day. Maybe he always thought that he could escape old age like he had escaped so many robberies as a young man. Mr Edwards's wife, June, was too distressed to attend the hearing but his daughter, Nicola, was present. I dont regret all the things I did, but I want to feel clean, and start again before my past and bad karma catch up with me. My feelings were confused: I was excited about the revelation of who my dad really was, but afraid, too, that he might be punished for his crimes, afraid that I might inherit the criminal gene. FOUL!! In the years since, life has moved on, as it must. He was the 14th person to be convicted for their part in the robbery. Travel through time at England's coaching inns. The 11 men convicted and sentenced in 1964 received terms of up to 30 years, almost double the usual penalty. Based on the story of Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards (Phil Collins), one of the thieves involved in "The Great Train Robbery" of 1963. Sir Montague said the family could. Fletcher was unlucky in the timing of his theft because Edwards had seen the film for the first time only days before. Buster Edwards. Edwards spent . Perhaps what should but wont be the last words on the saga were written 20 years ago by Bruce Reynolds, previewing a Channel 4 documentary on the robbery for the Guardian: Some secrets will never be revealed and the full definitive history of the Great Train Robbery will never be written., Detective identifies gangster Billy Hill as mastermind of 1963 crime that still fascinates the public, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Shreyaa Pokharel He was involved in the theft of 62,000 (1.33million today) from Comet House, the headquarters of British Overseas Airways Corporation at Heathrow Airport, in 1962. #Buster #Edwards #Wiki Biography #Age #Height #Wife #Net #Worth #Family, 20162022 Characters Wiki Copyright all rights reserved, Tommy Doyle Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Andrulla Blanchette Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family, Michelle Rogers Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family, Buster Edwards Height, Weight & Measurements, Steve Jones Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Christopher Pearce Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Warren Mitchell Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Andrew Crofts Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family. Cordrey was the first of the robbers released, but his share of the theft had almost entirely been recovered by the police. Busters wife June was too distressed to attend the hearing and his daughter Nicola had to leave the room during the pathologists evidence. But no matter how hard he tried to help, Dads depression only worsened. After nine years in jail he became a familiar figure selling flowers outside London Waterloo.. Was there anything I could have said that would have prevented this? They did it! That night, he drove back to London from France. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The driver, JackMills, was beaten over the head and suffered from related complications for the rest of his lifeopinion is divided as to whether the injury was a factor in his death. Buster was a native of Yancey County, NC and lived most of his life in Unicoi County. Dad led me out. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. I never went back. The new book, Great Train Robbery Confidential, is the latest to look into the heist, on 8 August 1963, in which 2.5m was stolen from the Glasgow to London Royal Mail train. Buster Edwards (Phil Collins) is a petty criminal from the East End of 1963 London. It will also suggest that the person named recently as the real inside man was, in fact, a blameless postman. The Eastcastle Street robbery, in May 1952, was one of their most audacious. Fans are now speculating if she has plastic surgery. Fact data. It was all rooted deep in his childhood.. The maps and papers strewn across the table. In 2001, having suffered a stroke, he returned voluntarily to England and jail. We lived in a big house in New Malden, Southwest London, where he took time to build a relationship with my sister and me, taking us to play on Wimbledon Common, or to Battersea funfair or Brighton for the day. They had 3 children. Its estimated that around 15 men were involved in the heist the only surviving member still alive is Bobby Welch. ", Ronald (Buster) Edwards, Great Train Robber, Buster Edwards `too drunk' to have committed suicide, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buster_Edwards&oldid=1152255680, Released in 1975 after serving nine years, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 03:37. Failed to delete flower. British Heritage Travel is published by Irish Studio, Ireland's largest magazine publishing company. Edwards died in Lambeth, London, at the age of 63. Buster Edwards. Find your friends on Facebook. After tampering with the lineside signals in order to bring the train to a halt, a gang of around 15 men lead by Bruce Reynolds attacked the train. A family friend, who was allowed to ask questions of witnesses, provided the only excitement when he was chased by photographers after becoming rather camera shy outside the court. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. He surrendered and was sentenced to 15 years in jail. Many of the gang were captured, but Edwards escaped arrest. When he returned to south London, he ran a drinking club and became a professional criminal. Most of the gang were captured, tried, and imprisoned, but Edwards evaded arrest with his 150,000 share of the stolen money. On 15 June, at about 3pm, British actor Dexter Fletcher ran along Mepham Street and scooped up two bunches of nasturtiums valued at 5 from Edwards' stall. When Buster Edwards, his gangster friend, hanged himself, it affected Dad badly. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? [2] During the London Blitz of the Second World War he was evacuated to Suffolk and then to Warwickshire.