Albert Reading from Canning Town was the real deal. Worked alone. Never part of a firm. Feared throughout London. His brother Bobby was also seriously feared and worked later on with the Long Fella alongside Jimmy Holmes aka Horace Silver (Author of Judas Pig). A seriously dangerous firm to this day. Another man similar to Albert was Jimmy Moody who was bigger than Albert but had the same mindset and was totally feared throughout London. Even the names we've all heard of wouldn't have fancied a straightener with either Albert or Jimmy. On top of that, if things got more lively than a fist fight, both men would do whatever was necessary. They took it to the end, irrelevant of who they were up against. Reputation or not. Tont Argent was probably cut from the same cloth. A modern day Reading or Moody. Oddly he was another Canning Town lad. I wonder what they feed them on down there.
Bobby Reading is in the fantastic documentary 'the end '. Some of the others mention he was the Guvner. I tried to find more out about him since I watched. Albert gets quiet a few mentions in books and podcasts but unless I keep missing them never see hear much about. His story needs to get told.
@@danrobinson572 I think might be on Amazon. I had on DVD years ago. it's about 15 years old. Alot have passed on now . Must be at least 15 old school gangsters on it. So well worth a watch ; defo will watch it a few times guarantee if u buy rather than rent. Highly recommend . it's a good few hours long . well insightful
Our Albert was a great friend like an uncle to me we had a few tear ups whilst running our pubs great man and a great friend miss you Albert always in my thoughts and in my heart God bless you
Always liked Albert a great listen. You seen the way Reg embraces him in footage of Ron’s funeral in the chapel. Clearly a very feared and respected man in equal measure.
@@paulcheshire7794 I wouldn't doubt it for a second. If he was smashing up Portland borstal at the time he was and at that age, it shouts, the bloke was game from the start. Not too many of them situations went like Albert's demolition job. Paul 🙏
Albert Reading was indeed a very tough man. If you collate all the internet stuff, the papers, the books, Liam Galvin, Kate Kray - all of them say the same thing. There were bigger stronger men scattered around but none more feared and none that would go to the lengths he would to do a job. He worked alone and when he was used by firms it was on his terms.
Some say he was an enforcer for the Twins but whereas Ron & Reg would summon other members of the firm, I hear they would ask Reading to do a job if they needed one and if he told the twins no, they would respect that and wouldnt ask again. That itself is telling. The twins would not usually ask for something, they'd tell you what they wanted and if you didn't do it, consequences. With Albert, not so. Even the twins knew not to push and take liberties with him.
Albert was at Ronnie krays funeral. You see him waiting in line to see Reggie. He looked like a tall guy pretty big and they both hugged each other. He said he did work for them but didn’t say what kind of work hahaha 🤣
I’m from custom house and they were the geezers you never fucked about with RIP Billy Williams I know the readings well RIP Kane reading gone but not forgotten bro all my E16 legends respect 👊
I think he had it with both the Richardsons on the same day in prison and fought them to a standstill, that's out of his own mouth. He said Fraser was like handling a baby!
Frazer was a tiny man in reality and couldn't have fought toe to toe with some of the big tough men.Frazer was really a weapons men cos like I said he was tiny .He had a fearsome reputation because of what he was willing to do but as far as street fighting with bigger capable men he would have probably got destroyed
Another blast froom the past!! Only found your channel a few days ago and already you have spoken about several people that used to be in the local area. Didn't realise when young that they all had far reaching reputations, you always knew who was who locally but it seems they all seemed to have reps that reached further afield.
Albert reading in he's day when 7 outta 10 men in the same street were BKBs....pound for pound hardest man to come outta east London....boom boom was coz he's as sly as a fox
What about that scaffolder in the pub? So he use that gear or that gear??? Fucking legend!!!! Burnt the clothes of his back before he hit the pavement!!!
Hey Sammy something Albert said has just resonated with me...peace and love my bruv!..oh and seeing mental health team today so might b off 4 a bit sam❤️
Freddie Foreman was a very serious man...we know of at least 3 bodies that he made disappear, never to be seen again until this day. Two of them killed by his own hands, Ginger Marks & The Mad Axe-Man and the body of Jack The Hat after the Krays killed him & dumped his body on Freds manor. Let's also remember that Fred was a division one, very intelligent criminal who planned and got away with countless armed robberies worth millions of pounds over a career that spanned decades. Fred's family lived in luxury their whole lives he spent a fortune on his his kids private education and paid a pretty penny for his Son, Jamie Foreman to go the best and most famous acting school in the country and supported him until he was at least 30+ trying to make it as an actor...which I'm glad to say he did make it in the end as a working actor and was in some great films. Sadly, Freddie is now 91 years old, broke & living in a tiny flat in London on his own and his own Son, Jamie Foreman who's now a famous actor thanks to his dad doesn't even speak to him anymore and hasn't visited him in years to see if he's ok...obviously, Fred seems terribly hurt and let down but he's still a proud man who carries himself with dignity, class & self respect. Have you got anymore details on how Fred is doing now, Yammy?
Mate lol there was a lot more Bodies than that lol ..one day the real story will be told about who was taken to sea past the fishing lines etc etc . Loved drinking in the Henry coopers on the old Kent Rd as a kid with Fred and teddy Haynes, great chats about the fight game and some other stories that I'll take to the grave lol. Great content as always Yammy.
@@danrobinson572 Albert was saying how brutal the fight was and he had skin taken off his face. During the fight, like when kids trip up, they have a scab come up, Albert was giving Charlie credit, most fellas would have kept their trap shut, but not Albert.R.I.P. To both men, hope their having a pint together up there!😊
Did he no do someone with acid he said himself he had to be quick coz if someone got a hold of him that was it so he done the job asap so he came out of it in staved.all the best uncle yammy.good night God bless brother.✌️🙏
Never, once saw gluckstead in Anyones company was asked by hiis girl friend to have a date after he buggarded her son and dog but look at her son icould not do she was lush lovely an all still kick .meself 35 years later one that got away
Years later a surprise visit on someone gluckstead had it out the back door slipped over covered covered in dog shit as he had over the back fence hard man I don't think so
These stories are magic. Quite liked the way AR spoke, definitely looked & sounded the real deal. F knows what it'd feel like coming face 2 face with him 30 years ago
Hello Yammy...Albert certainly looks and sounds the part doesn't he ....did you ever meet a fella called Terry O'Neil when you was away..?? From East London..17rec for a murder outside a pub in Canning Town.. ??
Elberts eyes are pure fire....I got a feeling he would look out for his mates I can't see any bully antics in him and just a man you would want on your team for sure...ow Roy would have bowled him over in a ring no disrespect but outside the ring I don't think Albert would let Roy get near him without something a bit spitefull being backed out n used in a flash or if Roy bashed him Roy would need an extra eyeball he could sit on his shoulder too watch his back for him lol.. but that said I see Roy n Albert quite similar blokes really no bully in em but will give it too ya the second your feeling a bit froggy... 🐸 🧐😬👊💣💥💥...🤯🤯....lol ...cheers yambo
Albert and bobby had a tickle in the old days..The krays heard about it and wanted some of the money,they wanted half or something like that..The krays asked to see them so they went to see them ,Albert said they weren't getting Anything.any way the krays started to hit them with baseball bats,bobby run and Albert got a bit of an hiding..But Albert went back after them so i Heard through the grapvine..Albert feard No Man...Yammy B..Atb mate
Alot of naughty faces, have that look, and Albert had it in Spade's, T.A. has it in Spade's. Funny thing, Albert Reading still had that look in his 70s, if you have it, you have it for life. Take care Yammy, one day at a time brother.
There's a few 'faces' on youtube and in books with tales to tell.They're a bit wrinkled now as are their memories.They all 'knew the twins' ( yawn) and will tell tales of violence about all the big guns.But there's a difference between them and Albert. Albert Reading said it how it was while all those who spoke about where still alive and kicking and could easily have faced him down or called him out.Lets face it they wold have- they respect nothing so his age would be ok. Albert Reading was a wild man because he was a wild kid who never had anyone to do his heavy lifting.A genuine hard case and his word carried weight and who was a genuine hard case.
Yammy who was Billy Griffis'i watched an Albert Reading interview 'you can tell he,s a straight talker he said Bill Griffis was the hardest man he ever met and didnt big himself up at all like most of the others usually do people who can usually dont have to tell anyone who will listen about it they dont need to
This is not a put down at all Albert Reading as he said he did the boxing at 48 years old he fought Brian Hall he said. I was told by an ex boxer from Essex who is in his 60s now that he was a t a show and Albert Reading come out in all the West Ham colours and was knocked out straight away by his opponent he was 48 no shame he must have had tonnes of bottle. Another one on Hard Bastards Albert Reading is on the bus with Kate Kray and they go past the British Flag in Custom House and he said he had a row in there with someone who he said was his best mate now. I heard from 2-3 people that is was Bill The Bomb, Albert was older, in the 1990s when something is alleged to have happen I heard a couple of versions of what happened I think something happened not an actual fight though.
Good video ! thank's ! does anyone know where we can find the episode kate kray did on albert reading on the show "hard bastards" ? can't find it ! thank's :)
I think people Get mixed up with gangsters street guys and people who can have a fight behind the hedge Gangster will always come out on top This thing I can knock 5 men out in 2 minutes what a lot nonsense Who cares When you come across a guy like that The best thing to do is just pat him on the shoulder Asking him to have a lovely evening And that you will catch up with him another time No fuss no noise And just walk away
Hi Yammy,, I never met Albert but I know he could have it,, I know he was lucky too be alive after hitting the tunnel on the train as a young prisoner on the run ..
@@danrobinson572 certainly, was thankful to the scousers for stopping n helping him n maybe that's why he always converted the scouse lads he spent time with ...
Mr Boom Boom . What a Legend Unc . Put in Scrubs aged 12 . Too much for Borstal in the 40s . 6 years for potatoes and peas . Very Dangerous and Hard Man . I’ve heard the story of Henry Coopers sparing partner mr Hall . He in Albert words was the hardest and the greatest bare knuckle fighters who ever lived . The corner dragged Albert out of the ring and saved his life . In Albert’s own words one of the bloodiest fights in history. Looking good Unc . Take care and be lucky . Sending loads of Love
Why hasnt anyone yet smelled b.s on alberts story on him beating up frank fraser, Eddie,and charlie all in prison all on the same day ...lol 😂 they never was all together in the same jail , let alone the same wing.. LoL.
yes uncle l have watched his interveiews he was best mates billy grimwood old villian from the city centre liverpool tels some great storys true n real deal
Yammy what's your view on the whole Charlie and Eddie thing with Albert. Is it fact was you there? I've seen the interview with Albert where he talks of knocking Mad Frank on with a single punch and that part doesn't seem to be disputed. But other and one particular face with a you tube channel states he him having Charlie and Eddie in the same day or at all is pure fiction although he does say thats his opinion he couldn't see it happening, so not fact either way. Now Albert when interviewed doesn't really elaborate on Eddie and the interviewer doesn't press him on it unfortunately. But he says he hit Charlie and says normally they go down but Charlie did come right back at him taking thr skin of Albert's face. It then leads y to believe that it was maybe stopped. That the fight didn't really finish. Its quite vague. He then goes onto day that the screws told Albert Charlie wouldn't come out of his cell. Albert is respectfull in stating that Charlie wasn't afraid of anyone, that he went to see him and said what's up Charlie why won't you come out I know you ain't afraid of me. Words were exchanged and they seemed to be all good and that was the end of it. I'd really be interested to know your thoughts on the incident and how it went down if you was there, or if you know reliable people that were. Maybe a video on the incident would be good even . I'd appreciate your thoughts either way. I just find it an interesting story and I'm sure others do too.
@@yammybtv thanks Yammy. My gut feeling when hearing him talk was the same and the fact that nobody of any real substance seems to have disputed it. Not even Eddie and he's still around. Albert certainly had a presence about him, even in his older years you just kinda knew, don't go there. I appreciate your reply thank you.
Had a fight with an Australian who 32 and I was 55 in bar in Naklua rd Pattaya.After 1 minute I was loosing but rolling on the floor found a glass ashtray.I walked away but knew if I ever I mean ever had a row again it's done on my terms.Eff chivorley
@@yammybtv Thanks for reply what that day taught me was you get to old to roll around on the floor.I totally avoid confrontation.But if I can't then I have to be clever
Hiya yammy mate I haven't been on for a while good videos ur doing mate u have come so so far and done excellent for urself and you have tried to help people and have helped loads , hay yammy no jokes of me today lol I think u will get that because wen u use to have a funny storys or just a normal storys I would do some jokes for a laugh, ur looking really well mate stay blessed godbless you bruvv, netty Lee,
Albert Reading was good mates with Billy Grimwood Top Liverpool Gangster.NO mug ! Think he was in Walton Gaol with him. The Krays we're Terrified of Billy Grimwood. Think Albert From Tony Argents Manor, personally i think Canning Town is the Gangster country, but then I'm a Train spotter like me wouldn't Know ,.having been just a Librarian with Glasses I'm not that Type .
Sweet thanks Yammy it would be really good to see something on him. He was around forever seemed to know everyone right back even before the twins, the Richarsons etc but we just don't hear much about him.
I feel really sorry hearing about how Albert got nicked for a bucket of potatoes at 12 and got banged up. I think he could’ve been the boss. He was fair
