Maggie Hill

Maggie Hill (born before 1905) was the sister of notorious gangster Billy Hill who rose to prominence in the London underworld during the interwar years.[1]

The Forty Elephants

During the interwar years, however, she received notoriety as the leader of an all female gang of criminals known as the Forty Elephants who specialised in shoplifting.[2] This gang was notable for its longevity and skill in avoiding police detection.[3]

Maggie Hill was actually born in 1899, her story, and that of Alice Diamond, is told in Alice Diamond and the Forty Elephants, by Brian McDonald.

Personal life

Hill was a close friend of Eddie Guerin, famous for being the lover of Chicago May.[4] She later went on to marry the famous criminal Ruby Sparks, recognised for being the first man to escape from Dartmoor Prison.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Morton, J. and G. Parker, Gangland Bosses: the Lives of Jack Spot and Billy Hill, (London, 2004), pp 16
  2. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/27/girl-gang-london-underworld
  3. ↑ Capstick, J., Given in Evidence, (London, 1960), chapter 9.
  4. ↑ Morton, J., Gangland: the Early Years, (London, 2003).
  5. ↑ McDonald, B., Elephant Boys: Tales of London and Los Angeles Underworlds, (Edinburgh, 2000).
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