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In the smoky underworld of 1960s London, one man stood out among the shadows, his story shrouded in mystery. Patrick Connolly, or as many knew him, Big Pat, was a figure whose life became inexplicably intertwined with the notorious Kray twins and their criminal empire, The Firm. Patrick Connolly hailed from the vibrant city of Glasgow, Scotland, with aspirations far beyond the reach of his hometown. He ventured south to England, where fate soon took him down a darker path. Brixton Prison became an unlikely meeting ground, where he first crossed paths with the infamous Kray twins. Upon his release, Connolly's life took an unforeseen turn. He found employment at Reggie Kray's Double R Club, assuming the roles of both part-time doorman and barman. Big Pat was aptly named, weighing between seventeen and eighteen stone, and he possessed a formidable punch. Scars adorned his face, testament to the battles he had fought and the loyalty he had pledged alongside Limehouse Willy within The Firm's ranks.

The Firm's Secrets

Although Connolly maintained a clean criminal record before his association with the Krays, he became the self-appointed 'club secretary' at The Double R Club. His life was a blend of both legitimate employment and clandestine activities. He was later convicted for five offenses, including receiving stolen goods and possession of a firearm. Big Pat's presence extended beyond the realm of The Firm. He made a brief appearance in the 1962 film "Sparrows Can't Sing," standing at the entrance of The Kentucky Club with Limehouse Willy. Later, he could be found dozing in a chair within the club's dimly lit interior. One pivotal moment cemented his place within the Kray narrative. In 1959, when Lenny Hamilton was brutally slashed in a restroom by Bonner Ward's son at The Regency, Connolly was there to witness it. His communication with the Krays marked the beginning of Hamilton's grim fate, branded by Ronnie's retribution. Connolly's life intertwined with various key players in the Krays' criminal drama. He was a frequent visitor to Frank Mitchell, incarcerated in Dartmoor Prison, and later at 206a Barking Road. After parting ways with his wife, he took up residence at 113 Evering Road, a few doors from the infamous 97 Evering Road, where the murder of Jack McVitie would send shockwaves through London's underworld.

The Disappearing Act

In 1968, an arrest by Scotland Yard shook The Firm to its core. Big Pat was supposedly en route to Scotland at the time. By 1969, he had resettled in Auckland Street, Glasgow, where he seemed to fade into obscurity. Mystery shrouded his later life, as he reportedly married in 1970 and welcomed a daughter in 1971. In 1996, the elusive figure known as Big Pat passed away in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. His enigmatic journey left an indelible mark on the shadowy world of the Kray twins and their criminal empire. In the 2015 film "Legend," Adam Fogerty brought his character to life, albeit with a peculiar Northern accent rather than the Scottish one that had been hidden within the recesses of history, forever intertwined with the legend of The Firm.

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