The mastermind of the Great Train Robbery of 1963 and “perfect gentleman” Bruce Reynolds has died aged 81 – just months before the 50th anniversary of the famous heist hailed as one of the most audacious crimes of the century.
Reynolds died in his sleep this morning after a period of ill-health.
Reynolds was the main man in the gang that made off with more than £2.5 million – equivalent to £40 million today – when they held up the Royal Mail travelling post office that ran between Glasgow and London.
Family friend John Schoonraad said Reynolds was the “perfect gentleman” and a “philosophical, gentle person”.