Page 171 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

The GTR involved careful planning
based on inside information from an
individual known as "The Ulsterman"
(never conclusively identified,
believed high ranking Royal Mail
insider). After tampering with the
lineside signals in order to bring the
train to a halt, a gang of fifteen, led
by Bruce Reynolds, attacked the train. Figure 77 The Great Train Robbery Bridego Railway Bridge

The first key fact to know about the GTR is that it was the work of two different
gangs. The main gang was the group that worked with Bruce Reynolds, the
man credited with being the mastermind and for the meticulous planning of
the robbery.

Reynolds’ gang numbered nine of the sixteen men at the
track on 8 August. The second gang was known as the
South Coast Raiders and were lead by a man called Roger
Cordrey. This group numbered a further five. Cordrey and
his team has been prolific robbers of trains on the London
to Brighton line previously and with his engineering
background, he had become proficient at interfering with
train signals to bring them to a halt. Cordrey was
Figure 78 Mastermind - Bruce Reynolds introduced to the Reynolds’ gang by Buster

Edwards and the combined team made their plans for the Great Train
Robbery.

The two who would be odd men out at the track, were members of neither
gang, Ronnie Biggs and a retired train driver, whose identity was never
discovered. In June of 1963 Biggs had asked Bruce Reynolds, a former prison
cell-mate for the loan of £500. This was the first time Biggs hears of the train
robbery. Reynolds along with his wife and son visit Biggs at home and he is
invited to be part of what will become the GTR on the basis that Biggs knew a
retired train driver who was required for the offence. So the people at the
track on the night of 8 August 1963 were:
The Train Robbery Gang: Reynolds’ Firm

1. Bruce Reynolds - Leader of the gang
2. Gordon Goody - Deputy and organiser
3. Buster Edwards - Organiser
4. Charlie Wilson - "Treasurer" and organiser
5. Jimmy White - Quartermaster and carriage uncoupler
6. Roy James - Getaway driver and carriage uncoupler
7. John Daly - Train stopper and getaway driver Page171
8. Mr. One (Unidentified)- Muscle
9. Mr. Two (Unidentified)- Muscle