Freddie "Brown Bread Fred" Foreman, Kray Twins Associate, Dies at 94
Mourners gathered for the funeral of Freddie Foreman, a notorious figure in London's underworld and associate of the Kray Twins, who died at the age of 94.
Freddie Foreman, a former enforcer for the notorious Kray Twins and a figure in London's underworld known as "Brown Bread Fred," died on October 10 at the age of 94. His funeral was held at GreenAcres Kemnal Park in Sidcup, south-east London, followed by a wake at the Greyhound pub in Keston.
Among those who attended were former Essex Boys associate Bernard O'Mahoney, actor Mike Linnane, convicted armed robber John Twomey, and former Kray Firm member Chris Lambrianou. Foreman's death followed a short illness, his family confirmed.
Foreman, also known as "The Guv'nor," was acquitted of several murders at the Old Bailey during his criminal career. He later admitted to carrying out killings and disposing of bodies at sea. During the 1960s, he was a key figure in the Kray Twins' gang, known as The Firm, which controlled much of East London's criminal activity. He was involved in the disposal of the body of Jack "The Hat" McVitie, who was murdered by Reggie Kray. Foreman was also associated with a gang that carried out a £6 million Security Express cash heist in Shoreditch in 1983.
Nick Reynolds, Foreman's godson, described his death as "the end of an era," recalling Foreman's sharp wit and fond memories of their conversations about the past. Maureen Flanagan, a friend of the Krays, remembered Foreman as a "very warm man" and one of the last of the "old-fashioned gentleman gangsters."
Foreman's life was the subject of the 2018 biographical film "Fred: The Godfather of British Crime." He served a total of 16 years in prison across 15 different jails. After his release, he was reportedly involved in the Shoreditch robbery. In 2000, Foreman revealed that he had thrown McVitie's body into the sea off Newhaven. He also claimed responsibility for organizing the 1965 prison escape of Ronnie Biggs.
Foreman began his criminal career in post-war South London, initially as a boxer before moving into crime. He came into contact with Charlie Kray, the elder brother of Ronnie and Reggie, through a side business involving electrical stores. Foreman recounted in interviews that he became desensitized to violence early in his criminal path. He maintained contact with the Kray family, including their mother, Violet, whom he described as a "lovely woman."