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Roger John Cordrey

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Royal mail train

Roger John Cordrey

1921? - 19??

Sentence: 20 years for Conspiracy to Rob and receiving stolen goods.

Leader of the South Coast Raiders, Roger Cordrey was a florist and electronics expert. He was involved in the planning of the robbery with Reynolds and even helped decide on the best place to stop the train.

During the robbery, Cordrey was the one who fixed the light signals with the battery and wire, ready for John Daly to switch on.

Following the robbery, Cordrey was the first person to get caught, along with his friend, William Boal , who was helping him hide out in return for the payment of old debts. Unfortunately, the place they had rented, and paid a three months advance for, was let by the widow of a policeman, who duly tipped off the police.

Cordrey was found with £12,000 in his car and arrested. He was later sentenced to 20 years in prison. On appeal Cordrey’s sentence was reduced to 14 years. He was then released in 1971 and moved to the West Country, returning to the flower business and continuing to live a more discreet life.