Kray Twins Interest: Dickson, John - ‘’Scotch Jack”, (1930-2...

Hammer

£950

Kray Twins Interest: Dickson, John - ‘’Scotch Jack”, (1930-2014). An autograph manuscript account of the concealment and murder of Frank “The Mad Axeman” Mitchell, together with an autograph covering letter signed “Jack”, Finchley, [circa 1970s–80s].

An extraordinary, apparently unpublished 21-page manuscript narrative written in black biro, probably prepared for journalistic or publication purposes, recounting Dickson’s first-hand experiences with the Kray twins during the final days of Frank Mitchell following his escape from Dartmoor.

The account opens with a clandestine meeting of the Kray firm to discuss where Mitchell should be hidden, before moving through a tense sequence of safe houses, arguments, gambling, drinking, women and growing paranoia. Particularly vivid are Mitchell’s repeated threats and unstable behaviour: “If anybody comes for me I will kill them”; “I should have killed the old man & woman with the axe, thats how I got my name”; and “I want you to get me a gun”.

The manuscript also contains striking depictions of Reggie Kray’s unease, Mitchell’s immense physical strength, and the increasing fear among those guarding him.

The dramatic concluding passage describes Mitchell leaving the flat for the final time before gunshots are heard outside: “They have shot him, they have shot him … They ran to the window and saw the van disappear into the distance. The End.”

The recipient of the manuscript was almost certainly Alfred Ernest Draper (1924–2013), distinguished Fleet Street journalist, crime correspondent of the Daily Express, broadcaster and author of numerous books on crime, policing and contemporary history, including Tanky Challenor: SAS and the Met, Operation Fish, and Scoops and Swindles. The present manuscript descended through the Draper family, who now offer it for sale. According to family tradition, Dickson supplied the account to Draper for possible future publication but requested that it should not be published during the lifetime of the Kray twins owing to fears of possible repercussions. As such, the manuscript appears to represent a rare surviving piece of unpublished Kray-related source material, preserved among the working papers of a prominent crime journalist and retained by his family for more than three decades.


Together with Dickson’s undated autograph covering letter, with the address 31, Etchingham Court, Finchley, asserting the manuscript to be “the true story”.

Together with five additional manuscript pages, by another hand, containing further notes and allegations concerning the Kray twins, Frank Mitchell, witness intimidation, firearms, and internal tensions within the Kray firm, including references to events in 1966/67”. The final page obverse with a note “6 yrs. with them. Bank:- No.”
The pages include allegations concerning attempts to silence witnesses, references to Bow Street proceedings and police investigations, remarks concerning the Krays’ personal relationships and criminal associates, and repeated assertions regarding fears within the organisation following Mitchell’s disappearance.

Their differing hand and more documentary tone suggest possible working notes, dictated statements, or material assembled for journalistic or publication purposes.

The collection accompanied by an A5 buff envelope dated ? 1992, addressed to Alfred Draper, 31, Oakridge Avenue, Radlett, Herts.