Charlie Kray

Charles James Kray (9 July 1927 – 4 April 2000) was an English professional boxer and convicted criminal. He was the elder brother of Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

Early life Charles James Kray was born at 26 Gorsuch Street, Hoxton on 9 July 1927, to Charles David Kray (1907–1983), a wardrobe dealer, and Violet Annie Lee (1909–1982). His father was of Irish descent and his mother was Romani. When Kray was six, his mother had identical twins, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, with Reggie born 10 minutes before Ronnie. His sister, Violet (born in 1929), died in infancy.

Kray soon took up boxing again and trained in the local gyms. His grandfather set up a punch bag in an upstairs room in Vallance Road.

After a spell of rheumatic fever, Kray joined the Naval Cadets, where he continued training seriously. He later joined the Navy where he boxed as a welterweight. However, he started to get terrible headaches and was soon discharged unfit from the Navy, on medical grounds, due to chronic migraines.

In his early twenties, Kray started to box professionally, winning a number of fights. He lost the last professional fight he fought.

Criminal history Although he did not have the violent reputation of his younger brothers, Kray was still an important component of the family's gangland history.

Personal life

Kray married Doris "Dolly" Moore on Christmas Day 1948. They had two children, Gary Kray (1951-1995) and Nancy. In an argument, Moore had said that Nancy was not Kray's daughter, but then denied it. Gary died from lung cancer on 8 March 1995.

Kray later discovered Moore had been having an affair with George Ince, but stayed with her for the sake of his family. She continued to see Ince behind Kray's back. The couple separated in 1975.

During the 1950s, Kray had a six-month affair with Barbara Windsor, star of the Carry On films and EastEnders. It has been suggested that the affair did not last long because his children and their happiness came first, and staying with Moore provided them with a stable background.

Kray had been a confidant of Jackie Collins, Judy Garland, Sonny Liston and Christine Keeler.

Kray said he found life difficult and claimed he was "unemployable" because of his surname.

On the evening of 4 April 2000 Kray died from heart complications at St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight. He was 72. He had been suffering from a heart condition prior to his death. Kray died in the presence of his girlfriend, Diane Buffini, and two other friends. and he is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery.

Published works

Me and My Brothers, with Robin McGibbon. Everest Books, 14 October 1976. Doing the Business, with Colin Fry. John Blake Publishing Ltd, April 1993.