City of Gangs (Read 13,329 times)

[Webmaister]

City of Gangs a book by Andrew Davies



During the 1920s and 1930s, Glasgow gained an unenviable and enduring notoriety as Britain's gang city - the 'Scottish Chicago'. Out of the most dilapidated and overcrowded tenements in Britain stepped young men and women dressed like Hollywood gangsters and their molls. On the city's streets they took centre stage in dramas of their own making, fighting territorial battles laced with religious sectarianism and running protection rackets modelled on those of the American underworld.


City of Gangs a book by Andrew Davies




Webmaister ./. www.glescapals.com
Glesca smiles better

[AnnieMay]

Looks interesting.

[foster]

We have tried hard to get rid of this image of Glasgow now another book.

[Webmaister]

Drawing on fifteen years of research the author tries to bring to life the reign of terror exerted on Glasgow streets in the 1920s / 1930s by gangs.
A timely reminder of how deprivation, unemployment and religious bigotry are a toxic cocktail in any City.

[glesca artist]

Is this a re-write of the classic novel of the Glasgow slum underworld No Mean City by A. McArthur and H. Kingsley Long?

[bob]

By Craig McDonald
Scottish gangsters kicked out of the US in the 1930s brought Chicago-style rackets back to Glasgow

18 Aug 2013 10:11
BOOK reveals that deported criminals brought home a range of new scams and terror tactics to the city.

Crowds flee a gang fight on Glasgow's Tollcross Road in 1933.
Daily Record
SCOTTISH hoods kicked out of the US in the 1930s brought Chicago-style rackets back with them, a new book reveals.

Members of Glasgow’s notorious razor gangs were recruited by Chicago crime cartels – including Al Capone’s infamous mob.

But if the police caught up with them, they were deported back to Scotland – and brought home a range of new scams and terror tactics.

The connections between Glasgow and the Windy City saw Capone hire tough Scot Ronald Kerr as his personal bodyguard.

Another hoodlum, James Gilzean, was among those who moved to the US – then returned to Scotland with his new gangster skills.

Historian Andrew Davies said: “There were others like Gilzean. If all the stories are true, you would actually think the Chicago gang wars were orchestrated by Scots.

“There was a fascination in Britain with the US underworld in the Prohibition era of the 1920s.

“Another dimension is the young Scots who had emigrated to the US during the Depression.

“Many returned having gained first-hand experience of violent, organised crime.”

In his book City of Gangs, Davies lays bare the reality of gang culture in Glasgow in the 20s and 30s.

The book tells how Capone hired Glaswegian Kerr – a former soldier – as his personal bodyguard after fleeing to Florida following the 1929 St Valentine’s Day massacre.

Davies said: “Ensconced at his house in Palm Beach, he was watched over by a hand-picked group of 10 gunmen, commanded by Ronald Kerr. He was said to be the only man Capone would trust.”

Gilzean revelled in his mobster links after returning to Scotland and even wrote a series newspaper articles entitled A Scot in Chicago’s Gangland.

American gangster Al Capone.
Getty Images

Davies said: “Gilzean claimed to have been closely associated with many of the leading Chicago
gangsters in the Prohibition era and gave a graphic account of boot-legging, turf wars, ruthless killings and police and political corruption.

“Having returned to Scotland, he was keen to trade on the global notoriety of the wild men of
Chicago and he provided sketches of John Torrio, Al Capone and Dean O’Banion.”

In 1932, it was reported that more than 100 criminals deported from the US and Canada had returned to Scotland.

Davies said: “According to police, a number had left Scotland for the US as teenagers in search of work but turned to crime after the Depression.

“Having served prison sentences in the US, they returned to Scotland to no prospects of work and little option but to pursue a life of crime.

“The result was a spate of Chicago-style rackets, smash and grab raids and armed hold-ups in Glasgow.”

An issue of the Sunday Mail – dated July 10, 1932 – told how Glasgow detectives were probing a series of threatening letters being sent to witnesses in housebreaking cases.

There were also growing cases of protection rackets targeting shopkeepers and publicans.

We reported: “A new type of gang has arisen – gangs of young men who, it would appear, are basing their activities on the latest advices from Chicago.

“Typical of the American gangster method is the trick employed of threatening women members of the victim’s family.”

[TT RIP]

Ah don't think oor criminals had tae serve an apprenticeship tae violence in the US, Bob. In the 1920s and 30s, they were only a few years away from the most savage, callous and violent war in the history of the world, in which most of them would have served. Many of them would already have been hardened killers, which is perhaps why they went to the US in the first place - looking for a more exciting life.

[glesca artist]

Ah agree wi' TT, Bob. It's merr like the US recruited experienced criminals fae Glesca tae learn the trade fae them.

The "Penny Mob" gang of the East End of Glesca ruled the streets in the 1890's, allegedly blackmailing local shopkeepers to pay fines incurred by gang members as a result of their fighting. The "San Toy Boys", the "Redskins" and the "Kelly Boys", who fought wi' knuckledusters, took over in the 1900s before the First World War. The Brig'ton "Billy Boys", were the worst of the razor gangs during the period between the First and Second World Wars. Sectarianism and ethnic differences fanned the flames of gang warfare in Glesca. The 1920s and 30s was a period of gang terrorism wi' the newspapers reporting daily of razor slashing - assaults and murders wi' knives, razors and other lethal weapons. In 1926, Razor gangs were reported "busy" in the East End of Glasgow. Fifty youths, aged from 14 years upwards, fought in a pitched battle between the "Lollipops" and the "Kent Star Boys" in Shuttle Street, near Albion Street. In court, a leader of the "Norman Conks" gang admitted carrying a bayonet down the leg of his trousers. He claimed he needed the weapon because the rival Brig'ton "Billy Boys" were after him. In 1930 an East End minister claimed there were 11 gangs in the vicinity of his church. He proposed to wean them off razor slashing and rioting in cinemas by taking them rambling.

The spear of a swordfish, a Ghurka knife, a cudgel 600mm (2 feet)long with a knob of wood as thick as the head of a drumstick, an axe, a brass-headed poker and a one metre (3 feet) long iron rod with a hook at each end were among the many articles which littered the "battlefield" following an alleged gang fight in Kerr Street, Brig'ton in June 1931. In 1934 one member of the "Billy Boys" went down for 4 years with hard labour after razor wielding "Billy Boys" attacked Celtic fans at Brig'ton station. Three members of the "Derry Boys" were jailed for smashing windows at Sacred Heart School, Brig'ton. By 1935 East End gang warfare had intensified. Police officers were attacked and injured by bottles and stones. Guilty gangs included the "Derry Boys", the "Norman Conks" and the "Savoy Arcadians". City Magistrates vowed to impose tough sentences on gang members and alleged that gangsters' fines were often being met by frightened shopkeepers paying protection money.

The novel, written by A. McArthur and H. Kingsley Long, "No Mean City". was first published in October 1935. The book outraged Glasgow Councillors and was denouced as a "gross libel on Glasgow". Letters in the press welcomed "No Mean City" as telling it like it was. In 1938 bayonets and hatchets were used in a pitched battle fought in Brig'ton between the "Norman Conks" and the "Shanley" Boys". Jail sentences were imposed on members of the "Derry Boys", the "Nunny Boys" and the "Baltic Fleet". On 3 September 1939, Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, announced that Great Britain was at war with Germany. The "Boys" of Glesca's East End were of course now fighting at the front line as their fathers were during the Great War of 1914-19.

On Saturday, 19 April 2003 (Easter Weekend) the Daily Record reported, "Police Chiefs have revealed that about 1,800 firearms and other lethal weapons have been handed in since the start of a nationwide amnesty. A total of 1,274 firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, have all been surrendered as well as 515 other weapons such as swords, bayonets, daggers, machetes, spears and clubs. Nearly 100,000 rounds of ammunition have also been handed in."

Gang terrorism does not seem to have improved much over the years and wi' a track record like this you can see where TT and me are coming fae Bob.

[bob]

Ye're right Glesca Artist. An' ther wis me thinkin' Clan Warfare hid died oot efter Culloden . Ah never realise ah grew up in such an interestin' area wi' such a 'rich cultural background'.
Ye kin imagine some wee Glesca Tally oe'r in Chicago visitin' his rellies an' tellin' thum a' aboot Glesca's gangs, maybe even Big Al himsel.
Bit when a reflect oan the 'extortion' bit ah suppose ye kin recover fae a sore heid if ye don't pey up. Bit ah used to observe doon ra Barras oan a Sunday the nuns (maybe it wis the Nunnies) goin' roon the stalls wi' the haunds held oot fur a contribution.
A sort o' spiritual Danegeld an' hellish damnation fur eternity wid be faur worse in simple folks' minds this gettin' yer heid batterd.

[Nell]

Ye don't hifty go back tae the 30s tae see Glesca's gangs, this news article is fae the 60s and shows that Glesca wiz stull steeped in gang culture. It is part o the social history of Glesca and the merr we write aboot it and talk aboot showin it up fur whit it is. It is and to some extent, still is a part of Glesca's history warts and all.

[bob]

Ye've got tae remember Nell thit crime is a vital part o' oor economy, by definition almost an industry in its ain right.
Jist think withoot it ther wid be nae need fur, psychiatrists,legal aid lawyers, social workers, welfare workers, youth workers,, an' let's no' furget, criminologists,parole officers, guidance counsellors an' the bonus fur the Government is thit we pey fur thum a'. Dead brilliant so it is.
An' then ye come tae the direct individual costs involved in running such a vast corporation as Crime.
We've got tae buy an' hiv installed security doors an' windaes, deadlocks an' alarm systems plus flashin' lights. We've got steerin' locks an' imobilisers oan oor motors wi' a' the additional insurance
.
So when ye get broken intae an' a' yer stuff stolen jist think o' the positive side o' yer misfortune. The insurance companies kin then up yer premium fur next year an' a' the retailers reap a benefit as well because ye've jist got tae replace yer big flat eco friendly tv set an' cameras, cds, binoculars etc etc.
Bit ah'm only gettin' started. Think o' a' the work the motor industry gets fae replacin' stolen caurs, bits affy caurs, then panel beaters, spray painters an' upholsterers.
If ye own a wee shop, ye might also hiv tae get in glaziers, locksmiths carpenters, plasterers etc etc.
So try no' tae be so narra minded when ye're talkin' aboot crime. The Government couldnae possibly get by withoot it.

[TT RIP]

Ah think that post-war gang activity was the result of an affluent society in which youngsters had too much money and too much time on their hands - compared tae the pre-war years, where the mainspring of gang activity was social deprivation.

[Nell]

Nane of the wans ah knew roon Baltic Street wurr affluent, they wurr eyewiz skint.

[Nell]

Yir right Bob, there is a massive industry based aroon crime, bit whit else kin we dae, we hiv tried heavy sentencing, it isny a deterrent. Capital Punishment wid only take kerr of murderers and their ilk, and maist crime disny involve murder. We need quality schooling to the same standard at Eton, Harrow etc, fur everybody no jist the privileged few, and good housing with amenities and entertainment facilities. If they get tae 15 then it is difficult tae chinge their habits and view, bit if we get thame young wi good social infrastructure and schools, then we might hiv a chance. Maist young people fae Glesca wurny in gangs and didny go aboot hoosebrekking etc. etc. Bit fur the wans that did, then a better school, or better teachers and a solid social network might hiv diverted thame fae the gangs.

[glesca artist]

Enjoyed the video Nell, although a bit dark in places. It brought back memories of the 60s and the efforts being made tae stop gang warfare. Ah remember Frankie Vaughan and whit he wis trying tae dae at Easterhouse.

Ah also agree that affluence wisnae known in the east end. Everybody wis skint. Ah don't think better schoolin' etc. would have helped. As you point out most youngsters were not gang members and all went tae the same schools. Ah think gang membership ran in families and weans aspired tae be like their older brothers and faither etc. The video suggests that if greater efforts were made to nurture weans from about age three and to treat youngsters as individuals and provide better community facilities then this might go a long way to overcoming the gang culture. Ah think that since the 60s greater efforts have been made and there in now less gang culture.

[glesca artist]

On 6 October 2013 the Sunday Express reported that hundreds of Scottish children - some as young as three or four - are being reported to police for assaults, threatening behaviour, racism, drug possession, possession of improvised weapons, theft and vandalism. The investigation found that teachers were regularly calling the police for protection from knife-wielding children.

Scotland's 32 councils were asked, under Freedom of Information legislation, how often police had been called to their schools and nurseries in the past two years. More than half (17), including Scotland's three largest councils - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife - refused to provide figures meaning the true numbers are certain to be much higher. According to COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) the councils' umbrella group, incidents of poor behaviour in Scottish schools are "rare and the situation is improving."

Makes you wonder if the provision of pre-school nurseries etc. is doing anything positive to eradicate gang culture.

[TT RIP]

Accusations of racism and assault, especially against very young children of 3 or 4, have to be treated with some reserve, glesca artist. If wan four year auld hits another wi an ice cream, that's technically assault, but it's somethin naebody in their right mind wid report tae the polis. Unfortunately, nooadays there are a lotta people no in their right mind when it comes tae things like this. Ah remember a guy ah worked wi back in the 1980's having problems with his 7 year old son's primary school. He had been lettered about his son's "racist behaviour". The boy's crime? He had called an Indian classmate "a chocolate biscuit".

[glesca artist]

Ah agree TT wi' yer comments about racism and minor assault by weans. But the main thrust o' the post is about the more serious offences such as drug possession, possession o' improvised weapons and knife-wielding pupils and the fact that trying tae educate weans pre-school disnae seem tae work.

[Nell]

The following list of gangs was published in the Glasgow Evening Times in February 2006 as identified by Strathclyde Police.

The city was divided into North Glasgow, South Glasgow and East Glasgow. East Glasgow had the most identified gangs with 41 followed by South Glasgow with 38 and North Glasgow with 31. The districts with the overall greatest number of gangs were Greater Pollok with 11, Govan with 10 and Drumchapel with 9.



North Glasgow

Drumchapel
Y. Peel Glen Team
Y. Hill Team Derry
Y. Linkwood Mad Squad
Southdeen Young Team
Young Cloan Mad Squad
Y. Bellway Fleeto
Jedworth Young Team
Y. Dardie P
Y. Essenside Fleeto

Bearsden
MO$$y P0$$Y

West Clydeside
Yoker Langy
Yoker Toi
Y. Whiteinch Bowrie
Y. Scotstoun Fleet
Finnieston
Anderston Young Team

Knightswood
Y. Kwood Fleeto

Maryhill
Y. Trossachs Street
Valley Young Team
Y. Maryhill Fleeto

Cadder & Summerston
Cadder Young Team
Y. Skitso Lyndale

Milton and Possil
Westray Boyz P
Y. Milton Tongs P
Y. Ruchill Fleeto
Y. Posso Fleeto

West End
Y. Georges Xross
Y. Partick Fleeto
Hillhead Young Team

Sighthill
Y. Sighthill Mafia

Keppo Chhill
Keppochhill Gang

Townhead
Young Toon Toi

South Glasgow

Govan
Y. Govan Team
Y. Linthouse Goucho
Drumoyne Young Team
Y. Crosse Posse
Y. Kimbo Kills
Tuecharhill Young Team
Young Young Winey
Ibrox Tongs
Kinning Park Derry
Craigton Goucho

Gorbals
Y. Sooside Cumbie
Y. Crossie Cumbie
Hutchie Boyz

Greater Pollok
Y. Pollok Kross
Y. Cookie Possie
Pollok Young Team
Y. Pollok Bushwackers
Housy Mad Sqwad
Y. Nitsie Fleeto
Y. Southie
The Cult of Ali-Shan
Parkhouse
Y. Tiny Priesty
Arden Young Toon
Darnley Mad Squad

South West
Y. Penilee Pen
Hillington Young Team
Moussy Young Team

Southside
Y. Shaws Team
Govanhill Young Team
Young Shields Mad Sqwad
Toryglen Toi
Battlefield Young Team

Castlemilk
The Cton
Y. Castlemilk Valley
Y. Castlemilk Tay
Y. Machrie Fleeto
Castlemilk Young Craig
Y. Holmbyre Fleet
Carmunnock Young Team

East Glasgow

Inner East End
Duke Street Fleet
Haghill Powery
Real Calton Tongs
Monks Dennistoun
Gallowgate Mad Squad

Bridgeton/Dalmarnock
Y. Bridgeton Darry
Y. White Scheme Derry
Read Street Dickies
Baltic Fleet

Parkhead/Shettleston/Tollcross
Y. Parkhead Border
Y. Parkhead Rebels
Y. Shettleston Tigers
Tollcross Wee Men

East End

The Fullarton
Y. Carmyle Tahiti
The Vulgar
The Mounty

Easterhouse
The Drummy
Young Den Toi
Skinheads
Aggro

Edinburgh Road
Bar-L
Young Calvay
The Boig
Young Torran Toi
The Easthall
Young Carntyne Goucho
High Tyne
Young Cranhill Fleeto

Ruchazie
Coby
Young High End Ziggy Fleet
Lo End

Garthamlock
GYTO
Craigend

North East
Y. Springburn Peg
Y. Team Gringo
Auchinairn Young Team
Young Blackhill Toi
RC Shamrock
Riddrie Loyal
Young Germiston

[Nell]

As early as the 1700s there used to be a weekly Saturday night stonefight across the river Clyde. There used to be a small island in the middle of the Clyde, just where Calton Place runs next to the river. Gangs of boys and men used to gather at the foot of Stockwell Street, and a similar sized gang on the Gorbals side. Stealth was used to reach the island, and fighting at close quarters was common on it's banks. It was only when a boy was killed that the fights began to die away. In the late 1700s, the students of the College in the High Street used to wage stonethrowing battles with the uneducated youth of the city. After the founding of Wilson's Charity School in 1778, the pupils there used to regularly battle with the students of the Grammar School. In those days there was no police force to counteract these disturbances. There had been gangs in Ireland since the early 1700s, many of them fighting gangs in the Glasgow tradition, such as the Shanavists, the Caravats, and the Ruskavallas.

The first gangs which come to the newspapers attentions were the Penny Mob gangs of the 1870s. These gangs would ask subscription from their members to pay the fines of anyone jailed by the police, a penny a head, thus Penny Mob gangs. In 1883, one of these gangs, called the Ribbon Men, blew up a gasometer in Tradeston.

As the century drew to a close, the courts began to stop offering fines as an alternative to jail, and the penny mob gangs died away. The small gangs began to group together for mutual protection, and thus the rise of the large area gang. These gangs were huge, and commanded the whole of a district - they were made up of many smaller gangs who fought under a common leader aff.