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Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Inside Ronnie Biggs' prison escape more daring than audacious £2.4m robbery
The Great Train Robbery convict's best friend lifts the lid on Ronnie Biggs' incredible life as the world's most famous fugitive It was one of the most audacious crimes in British history. But nearly two years after the Great Train Robbery shocked and fascinated the country, an equally daring escape turned the least significant member of the gang into the world 's most famous fugitive. Ronnie Biggs played only a minor part in the 1963 robbery of the Glasgow-to-London mail train. Recruited late, he didn't handle any of the loot and only earned a relatively small share of the record £2.4m haul. Caught three weeks later - after his fingerprints were found on a tomato sauce bottle - the petty criminal seemed destined to be little more than a footnote in the story of an infamous heist. But 60 years ago on Monday, Ronnie, then 36, pulled off something even more extraordinary than the robbery itself, 15 months after he was jailed for 30 years - by escaping. By the end of the summer of 1965, and during the ensuing years, as he fled around the world, eventually settling in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, everyone would know his name. Biggs was sent to Wandsworth Prison, south west London, in April 1964, after losing his appeal, with the judge slamming the robbery as 'an act of organised banditry touching new depths of lawlessness'. A high security jail housing some of Britain's most dangerous criminals - that didn't stop Biggs from smuggling in cans of lobster and crab meat, or listening to pop music on a small illegal radio. Biggs, who died in 2013, later wrote in his autobiography how a hit song by The Seekers became the 'inspiration' for his escape. He wrote: 'It contained the line, 'There's a new world somewhere, they call it the promised land'.' Biggs, helped by two fellow inmates, started to meticulously plan what would become Wandsworth's most brazen escape. And he later told Chris Pickard, his best friend in Rio, who ghostwrote Biggs' books, how he managed it. Chris says: 'He and another prisoner, Paul Seabourne, came up with some crazy plans. One idea was a helicopter, which they decided would be too dangerous. 'Every afternoon they were allowed to walk around the yard for an hour. Ron and Paul worked out that the wall of that courtyard was the outside wall of the prison. Then Ron managed to count the bricks in the wall, which is hard to do as you're walking around. Because he was a builder and knew the size of a brick, he worked out the escape height of the wall, 25ft. 'That was higher than a removal van, but if you put an extension on the top of the van it could reach the top.' Seabourne was released in April 1965 and began to coordinate the jail break from the outside. He would get information to Biggs through the bent lawyers of another prisoner, Eric Flower, who was due to be sentenced for armed robbery and planned to escape with him. Another two inmates agreed to grab the prison officers as soon as Seabourne threw a rope ladder over the wall. 'They knew they'd get into trouble, but they said they'd look after that for the honour of helping Ron,' Chris says. Prisoners were normally chosen at random for one of the two walkabouts at different times in the day, so the conspirators devised a plan to get out of being picked for the first one, which included feigning illness or running out of twine for sewing the mail bags. In the countdown to the planned breakout, Biggs became more anxious. 'He was very nervous, he knew there was so much that could go wrong,' says Chris. 'He also realised that if you're going to climb up a basic rope ladder at that height, you have to be pretty fit. So he was having to be pretty discreet in his prison cell, doing press ups and sit ups without making it obvious. 'He said that several of the guards made comments, like 'good to see you're keeping in shape, Ron,' and he had to joke about why he was doing it, but they didn't catch on.' The escape was set for 3.05 on July 7, 1965 - but just before they were due to walk around the yard it started to lightly rain and the session was cancelled. Chris says: 'Luckily for them, Paul Seabourne, who was driving to Wandsworth in the removals van, also realised they wouldn't be let out in the rain, so turned back. They had agreed that if anything happened the escape would be put back a day.' The next day, Seabourne returned - but first went round every red telephone box in the vicinity and unscrewed the mouthpieces, so no-one would be able to call the police. Biggs' wife, Charmian, who was also in on the plan and who had provided the money to pay for the escape, had gone to Whipsnade Zoo for a day out, so she had an alibi and couldn't be implicated. This time, everything worked perfectly. 'Ron said that, as they walked around the yard they could hear the old removal truck pulling up outside. Then a head appeared over the wall with the traditional stockings over the face, and the rope ladders came down. Ron and Eric made a beeline for it, while these two other guys rugby-tackled the guards. 'They went up and over the wall, followed by two other men who decided they wanted to escape too. They jumped onto a mattress in the van, then all piled into the back of a waiting green Ford Zephyr and drove off. 'Ron told me they passed some police cars with their sirens on going in the other direction, but nobody followed them. 'Paul had assumed they would be chased by the police, so the plan was for them to turn into a cul-de-sac, run down a pathway and get into another waiting car. In fact, they weren't being followed at all, so didn't have to do anything in a rush.' After dropping off the others at Tube stations, Biggs and Flower went back with Seabourne to his flat in Dulwich, south east London, where they toasted their success with champagne. The two escapees were later taken to a safe house in Bermondsey, south east London. The next day, the front page of the Daily Mirror called Biggs' jail break 'the great escape' and quoted a Scotland Yard spokesman warning that the gang may be armed and that the public should not approach them. Chris says: 'In fact, Biggs was offered a gun, but he refused to take it. But it was all over the news, and for the next weeks everyone was spotting Ron everywhere. 'On July 14 police swooped on Heathrow airport, believing Ron was hiding in a crate, which caused chaos, but he wasn't there, he was just sitting in the safe house.' Even Madame Tussauds created waxwork figures of Biggs, as well as Charlie Wilson, another train robber who had escaped from Birmingham's Winson Green Prison a year earlier. By August, the two fugitives were getting fed up of staring at the walls of the London flat, so a house was rented for them in Bognor Regis, where they were finally united with their wives. In October 1965, Biggs and Flower made their way to Paris where their faces were changed by plastic surgery. Under the name 'Terence Furminger', Biggs settled in Adelaide in Australia, joined by Charmian and their children. Eric Flower lived in Sydney until he was captured in 1969 and sent back to Wandsworth to finish his 12-year sentence. With the police closing in on him, in 1970 Biggs flew to Brazil on a false passport, later divorcing Charmian. Under a new name, Michael Haynes, he began to build a new life for himself in Rio. Having a son, Michael, with his Brazilian lover Raimunda de Castro, also won him immunity from extradition under Brazilian law. Chris, who was working as a journalist in the South American city, became a close friend. He says: 'We would spend a lot of time together, sometimes at his house or over food at restaurants, just chatting. Eventually, he asked if I could help write his book because he wanted to set the record straight.' Chris says that it was always his escape from Wandsworth, and not the train robbery, which Biggs talked about most. 'It was his plan, his work, whereas he had nothing to do with the Great Train Robbery. And it was because of that, and not the actual robbery, that he became infamous. 'Although he'd spent all the money by the time he arrived in Rio, it was his fame that allowed him to have such a good life there. 'I'd go round to his house and you never knew who you'd find, a famous celebrity, a journalist or singer. He even had the Sex Pistols round and ended up writing and recording one of their biggest hits. It was an extraordinary life.' Biggs suffered his first stroke in 1998, although he recovered to throw a 70th birthday party. However, second and third strokes followed, permanently ending his days of beaches and parties. In 2001, after evading capture for 36 years, Biggs was arrested and sent to London's high-security Belmarsh prison, where he once again became Prisoner 002731, the same number he was given in April 1964 when he entered Wandsworth. In July 2007 he was moved to a unit for elderly inmates at Norwich Prison, and granted compassionate release from his prison sentence on August 6 2009, just two days before his 80th birthday. Finally free and no longer a fugitive, but imprisoned by his own ailments and unable to eat, speak or walk, he died four years later.
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Beloved Aussie singer tragically dies days after diagnosis
Australian singer Marcie Jones has died at the age of 79, passing away just days after revealing she had been diagnosed with leukaemia. Jones, a beloved musician who rose to fame in the 1960s as lead singer of Marcie and the Cookies, had a decades long career that saw her tour with acts including The Monkees, The Seekers and Cliff Richard and the Shadows. After releasing two singles with Marcie and the Cookies, Jones went solo. Her biggest hit, Gonna Get Married, saw Jones enjoy a pioneering success. On Tuesday, Jones took to social media to tell friends and family that she had been diagnosed with leukaemia, saying she was 'scared' but was going to 'fight' and start treatment. However, in a tragic turn just days after making the announcement, Jones passed away. Confirming the news, Jones's daughter in law Lisa Astra said she felt 'numb'. 'It's with great sadness (that I ) let you all know that my beautiful mother-in-law, Marcie Jones, passed away yesterday (Saturday) evening,' she wrote. 'I feel numb inside. 'Marc, never again will there be our little outbursts of song and dance. 'You made me laugh so hard and always gave me great advice. Astra, who is also a singer, described her mother in law as a 'legend' and an 'icon'. 'You will always be remembered,' she added. 'You always said that we were so alike in many ways, and that's why I know you will always be my guiding light. 'I will miss you so much. I love you. 'Until we meet again to sing another song!'
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Marcie Jones: Australian singer dies aged 79 in hospital days after revealing leukaemia diagnosis
Australian singer Marcie Jones has died at the age of 79, passing away just days after revealing she had been diagnosed with leukaemia. Jones, a beloved musician who rose to fame in the 1960s as lead singer of Marcie and the Cookies, had a decades long career that saw her tour with acts including The Monkees, The Seekers and Cliff Richard and the Shadows. After releasing two singles with Marcie and the Cookies, Jones went solo. Her biggest hit, Gonna Get Married, saw Jones enjoy a pioneering success. On Tuesday, Jones took to social media to tell friends and family that she had been diagnosed with leukaemia, saying she was 'scared' but was going to 'fight' and start treatment. However, in a tragic turn just days after making the announcement, Jones passed away. Confirming the news, Jones's daughter in law Lisa Astra said she felt 'numb'. 'It's with great sadness (that I ) let you all know that my beautiful mother-in-law, Marcie Jones, passed away yesterday (Saturday) evening,' she wrote. 'I feel numb inside. 'Marc, never again will there be our little outbursts of song and dance. 'You made me laugh so hard and always gave me great advice. Astra, who is also a singer, described her mother in law as a 'legend' and an 'icon'. 'You will always be remembered,' she added. 'You always said that we were so alike in many ways, and that's why I know you will always be my guiding light. 'I will miss you so much. I love you. 'Until we meet again to sing another song!'
The Advertiser
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
From The Seekers to Neale Daniher: seeking the Aussies who make us proud
John Foreman quite likes to engage in a bit of time travel every now and again. The best way, according to the chair of the National Australia Day Council, is to cast his eye over past Australians of the Year, and marvel at the diversity of names and backgrounds. From elite athletes to anti-violence campaigners, doctors to disability advocates, artists to Indigenous elders, the list is a portrait of modern Australia, in any given year. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW Folk-pop group The Seekers took the honour back in 1967; four years later, it was Indigenous tennis champion Evonne Goolagong. World War II hero Edward "Weary' Dunlop was in 1976, Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan came in 1985. Champion solo sailor Kay Cottee was honoured in 1988, leading painter Arthur Boyd in 1995 and plastic surgeon Fiona Wood in 2005. In 2019, two blokes who enjoyed cave diving found themselves at the centre of a legendary rescue mission of an entire soccer team, and were named joint winners. And the current Australian of the Year is former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, an advocate for motor neurone disease research. It's a list that has told us about Australia at any given time, as do the winners in the Young Australian, Senior Australian and Local Hero categories. READ MORE: Who will you nominate for our next Australian of the Year? And, says Foreman, the list never fails to humble him. "It is really humbling to see the incredible work that is being done by so many people all around Australia," he said. "When you look at the cross section of Australians of the Year, and indeed the broad diversity of Australians who are represented across all four categories each year ... it's a really fantastic snapshot into Australia's cultural, scientific, artistic, sporting and charity and philanthropy worlds. READ MORE "You've got sports people, scientists, charity workers, leaders of communities, people have just given back. And it reminds the world what a great country we are - because of the amazing people that are here." Nominations are now open for the 2026 awards. They must be submitted before July 31. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW "As someone who grew up in the beautiful city of Newcastle, I'm particularly well aware of the fact that there are amazing people in every corner of the country, some of whom go unrecognised," Foreman said. "Some of the people who are nominated for Australian of the Year awards are already household names, like Neale Daniher, was obviously someone all Australians admired. "Other people who've been nominated are not necessarily household names, but they're people who've made a huge difference in their communities and they're people who their nominator has identified as someone who is worthy of recognition." But someone can only be a winner if they're nominated first - maybe by you. John Foreman quite likes to engage in a bit of time travel every now and again. The best way, according to the chair of the National Australia Day Council, is to cast his eye over past Australians of the Year, and marvel at the diversity of names and backgrounds. From elite athletes to anti-violence campaigners, doctors to disability advocates, artists to Indigenous elders, the list is a portrait of modern Australia, in any given year. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW Folk-pop group The Seekers took the honour back in 1967; four years later, it was Indigenous tennis champion Evonne Goolagong. World War II hero Edward "Weary' Dunlop was in 1976, Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan came in 1985. Champion solo sailor Kay Cottee was honoured in 1988, leading painter Arthur Boyd in 1995 and plastic surgeon Fiona Wood in 2005. In 2019, two blokes who enjoyed cave diving found themselves at the centre of a legendary rescue mission of an entire soccer team, and were named joint winners. And the current Australian of the Year is former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, an advocate for motor neurone disease research. It's a list that has told us about Australia at any given time, as do the winners in the Young Australian, Senior Australian and Local Hero categories. READ MORE: Who will you nominate for our next Australian of the Year? And, says Foreman, the list never fails to humble him. "It is really humbling to see the incredible work that is being done by so many people all around Australia," he said. "When you look at the cross section of Australians of the Year, and indeed the broad diversity of Australians who are represented across all four categories each year ... it's a really fantastic snapshot into Australia's cultural, scientific, artistic, sporting and charity and philanthropy worlds. READ MORE "You've got sports people, scientists, charity workers, leaders of communities, people have just given back. And it reminds the world what a great country we are - because of the amazing people that are here." Nominations are now open for the 2026 awards. They must be submitted before July 31. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW "As someone who grew up in the beautiful city of Newcastle, I'm particularly well aware of the fact that there are amazing people in every corner of the country, some of whom go unrecognised," Foreman said. "Some of the people who are nominated for Australian of the Year awards are already household names, like Neale Daniher, was obviously someone all Australians admired. "Other people who've been nominated are not necessarily household names, but they're people who've made a huge difference in their communities and they're people who their nominator has identified as someone who is worthy of recognition." But someone can only be a winner if they're nominated first - maybe by you. John Foreman quite likes to engage in a bit of time travel every now and again. The best way, according to the chair of the National Australia Day Council, is to cast his eye over past Australians of the Year, and marvel at the diversity of names and backgrounds. From elite athletes to anti-violence campaigners, doctors to disability advocates, artists to Indigenous elders, the list is a portrait of modern Australia, in any given year. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW Folk-pop group The Seekers took the honour back in 1967; four years later, it was Indigenous tennis champion Evonne Goolagong. World War II hero Edward "Weary' Dunlop was in 1976, Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan came in 1985. Champion solo sailor Kay Cottee was honoured in 1988, leading painter Arthur Boyd in 1995 and plastic surgeon Fiona Wood in 2005. In 2019, two blokes who enjoyed cave diving found themselves at the centre of a legendary rescue mission of an entire soccer team, and were named joint winners. And the current Australian of the Year is former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, an advocate for motor neurone disease research. It's a list that has told us about Australia at any given time, as do the winners in the Young Australian, Senior Australian and Local Hero categories. READ MORE: Who will you nominate for our next Australian of the Year? And, says Foreman, the list never fails to humble him. "It is really humbling to see the incredible work that is being done by so many people all around Australia," he said. "When you look at the cross section of Australians of the Year, and indeed the broad diversity of Australians who are represented across all four categories each year ... it's a really fantastic snapshot into Australia's cultural, scientific, artistic, sporting and charity and philanthropy worlds. READ MORE "You've got sports people, scientists, charity workers, leaders of communities, people have just given back. And it reminds the world what a great country we are - because of the amazing people that are here." Nominations are now open for the 2026 awards. They must be submitted before July 31. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW "As someone who grew up in the beautiful city of Newcastle, I'm particularly well aware of the fact that there are amazing people in every corner of the country, some of whom go unrecognised," Foreman said. "Some of the people who are nominated for Australian of the Year awards are already household names, like Neale Daniher, was obviously someone all Australians admired. "Other people who've been nominated are not necessarily household names, but they're people who've made a huge difference in their communities and they're people who their nominator has identified as someone who is worthy of recognition." But someone can only be a winner if they're nominated first - maybe by you. John Foreman quite likes to engage in a bit of time travel every now and again. The best way, according to the chair of the National Australia Day Council, is to cast his eye over past Australians of the Year, and marvel at the diversity of names and backgrounds. From elite athletes to anti-violence campaigners, doctors to disability advocates, artists to Indigenous elders, the list is a portrait of modern Australia, in any given year. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW Folk-pop group The Seekers took the honour back in 1967; four years later, it was Indigenous tennis champion Evonne Goolagong. World War II hero Edward "Weary' Dunlop was in 1976, Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan came in 1985. Champion solo sailor Kay Cottee was honoured in 1988, leading painter Arthur Boyd in 1995 and plastic surgeon Fiona Wood in 2005. In 2019, two blokes who enjoyed cave diving found themselves at the centre of a legendary rescue mission of an entire soccer team, and were named joint winners. And the current Australian of the Year is former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, an advocate for motor neurone disease research. It's a list that has told us about Australia at any given time, as do the winners in the Young Australian, Senior Australian and Local Hero categories. READ MORE: Who will you nominate for our next Australian of the Year? And, says Foreman, the list never fails to humble him. "It is really humbling to see the incredible work that is being done by so many people all around Australia," he said. "When you look at the cross section of Australians of the Year, and indeed the broad diversity of Australians who are represented across all four categories each year ... it's a really fantastic snapshot into Australia's cultural, scientific, artistic, sporting and charity and philanthropy worlds. READ MORE "You've got sports people, scientists, charity workers, leaders of communities, people have just given back. And it reminds the world what a great country we are - because of the amazing people that are here." Nominations are now open for the 2026 awards. They must be submitted before July 31. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW "As someone who grew up in the beautiful city of Newcastle, I'm particularly well aware of the fact that there are amazing people in every corner of the country, some of whom go unrecognised," Foreman said. "Some of the people who are nominated for Australian of the Year awards are already household names, like Neale Daniher, was obviously someone all Australians admired. "Other people who've been nominated are not necessarily household names, but they're people who've made a huge difference in their communities and they're people who their nominator has identified as someone who is worthy of recognition." But someone can only be a winner if they're nominated first - maybe by you.
