Pat Connolly

Pat Connolly
Also known as	Big Pat
Born	c. 1929, Glasgow, Scotland
Died	c. 1996, Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation	Bodyguard, doorman
Allegiance	The Firm
Status	Deceased

Patrick Connolly or more commonly known as Big Pat, was a member of The Firm for many years, serving as the Kray's primary bodyguard. He was on a train to Glasgow when Scotland Yard arrested The Firm in 1968.

Despite being well photographed and documented throughout the 1960s with his time with the Krays, there is little information known about Connolly.

History

Background

Connolly was originally from Glasgow, Scotland. He moved down to England some time and then was imprisoned in Brixton Prison where he first came into contact with the twins. After his release, he began working for Reggie at the Double R Club as a part-time doorman and barman. Connolly's weight was between seventeen and eighteen stone, and he could punch his weight. He had a couple of scars on his face due to various battles he had been in, and when he and Limehouse Willy were fighting side by side, they were a good group to have amongst The Firm.

The Firm

It is known that he had no criminal record up to his time with the Krays and that he acted as 'club secretary' at The Double R Club, He was later convicted for five offences between November 1957 and February 1968, for receiving stolen goods and possession of a firearm. He also makes a brief cameo appearance in the 1962 film, Sparrow's Can't Sing, standing in the doorway of The Kentucky Club with Limehouse Willy. In a later scene, he is seen asleep on a chair inside the club.

Connolly is on the left, with Reggie (centre) and the twin's maternal grandfather Cannonball Lee to the right. Teddy Smith and Ronnie can be seen in the background. The twins were welcomed home in Vallance Road after being found not guilty on a menaces charge. Taken 5 April 1965.

Connolly was also present when Lenny Hamilton was slashed in the toilets by Buller Ward's son Bonner in The Regency in 1959. Connolly then proceeded to tell the twins about the altercation, which in turn led to Hamilton being branded by Ronnie. Connolly frequently visited Frank Mitchell at Dartmoor Prison and later at 206a Barking Road. After splitting up from his wife, Connolly rented a front room from Winnie Harwood at 113 Evering Road, several doors up from 97 Evering Road, where the murder of Jack McVitie took place several months later.

Arrest and later life

He was allegedly on a train to Scotland when the twins and The Firm were arrested in 1968 and by 1969 he was living in Auckland Street, Glasgow. He allegedly then married in 1970 and had a daughter in 1971. He passed away in 1996 in Glasgow,

Leaving behind his Step Grandson James Crawford Boyle

References

• Bennett, John. Krayology (2015). Mango Books.

Ronnie (far left) and Reggie (far right) in an East End pub, with bodyguard Pat Connolly (centre, rear)

Pat Connolly with The Firm, at The Regal billiard hall, Eric Street, Mile End. Billy Donovan can be seen (far left) and Reggie and Charlie Kray (third and fourth from left) c. late 1950s.

Connolly in the film Sparrows Can't Sing (1963), seen asleep in The Kentucky after the protagonist played by James Booth walked into the club.

Johnny Carden, Willie Malone, Joe Schaffer and Pat Connolly at Reggie Kray & Frances Shea's wedding, 19th April 1965.

Pat Connolly (left) with Freddie Foreman and Charlie Kray, c. 1966.

Pat (center) with Reggie Kray (right) at The Regal, Eric Street. c. late 1950s.

Adam Fogerty (left) portraying Big Pat in the 2015 film, Legend.

Big Pat in Legend with Tom Hardy as Reggie Kray.

Adam Fogerty portraying Big Pat, 2015.