The War Years

The war was wonderful, for thieving wise, gangster wise and everything. Wonderful. Everyone had money, no one unemployed, but they couldn't spend it, because pubs couldn't always guarantee to serve you a drink. They could only get so much beer or spirits. Clothes were rationed, food was rationed, so all you had to do was nick them commodities and people bit your arm off to buy it off you. It was wonderful. I'll never forgive Hitler for surrendering, they were great days.

Most of the policemen were in the Army or Airforce or the Navy and the Military Police, so you had a lot of what they call Specials. Well they were like a joke, they could go as any size or shape, the Specials could be as small as me.

 When you'd be doing a place, in Bond Street, everyone was booted and suited up, we'd smash a window, be breaking in and a Special would come along side and say, "What's going on here". "Stand back sir, unexploded bomb" and they'd help you to load up your motor. It was wonderful. And if an air raid was on that was better still. "Stand back please, two unexploded bombs". I know It sounds Impossible but that's how it was.

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