The Peaky Blinders is the most powerful gang in England, and one of the most powerful gangs in the world. Initially founded in Birmingham after WWI, through Thomas Shelby's leadership, they began as an illegal bookmaking operation and eventually branched out to fixing races, bootlegging and car manufacturing.
History[]
They were established as the Shelby Company Limited in 1920. However, after the Wall Street Crash they began switching bootlegging to smuggling opium in order to raise enough capital to keep the company from going bankrupt. They have various legitimate businesses such as a distillery, automotive manufacturing factories, racetracks, etc.
Their rise to power was aided through Thomas Shelby's brains and initiative, and his transactional relationship with Winston Churchill, as Thomas kept doing favors for him and the Crown such as assassinations, arms deals, and gathering intelligence on radical political groups in England and abroad. Winston Churchill eventually repaid the favor by granting him an Empire export license to sell manufactured car parts while smuggling single malt Scotch whiskey that's hidden in the car parts. He slowly began to rise to power when he asked Churchill for an OBE, and ran for MP of Birmingham, eventually winning by a landslide, due to his considerable influence in the city.
Family Structure[]
Boss[]
- 1919-1919 - Arthur Shelby - was often seen as the front boss while Tommy was the real "brains" behind the family.
- 1919-1934/present - Tommy Shelby
Underboss[]
- 1919-1929 - Polly Gray - Killed.
- 1929-1934/present - Arthur Shelby
Consigliere/Advisor[]
- 1919-1929 - Polly Gray - was both the second in command and an advisor.
- 1924-1933 - Michael Gray - accountant and legal advisor. Leaves the family.
Capos/Lieutenants[]
- 1919-1925 - John Shelby - murdered by The Changretta Crime Family.
- 1919-1929 - Arthur Shelby - presumably promoted to underboss after the death of Polly Gray.
Soldiers/Members[]
- 1926-1934 - Finn Shelby - banished from the family.
- 1922-1934/present - Isaiah Jesus
- 1919-1934/present - Charlie Strong
- 1919-1934/present - Curly
- 1919-1934/present - Johnny Dogs - also a member of the Lee Family.
- 1919-1934/present - Jeremiah Jesus
- 1919-1919 - Danny Whizz-Bang - shot by Billy Kimber.
- 1926-1929 - Aberama Gold - stabbed to death.
- 1934-present - Duke Shelby
- 1926-1929 - Bonnie Gold - killed by Jimmy McCavern.
- 1922-1922 - Billy Kitchen - shot in the head by Alfie Solomons.
Associates[]
- 1929-1929 - Barney Thompson - shot in the head.
- 1929-1934 - Billy Grade - killed by Duke Shelby.
- 1919-?? - Scudboat
- 1924-?? - Stephan Radischevski
- 1922-1922 - Digbeth Kid - murdered by Darby Sabini.
Known Members[]
Main[]
Secondary[]
- Charlie Strong
- Curly
- Johnny Dogs
- Jeremiah Jesus
- Isiah Jesus
- Danny Whizz-Bang
- Aberama Gold
- Duke Shelby
Others[]
- Barney Thompson
- Billy Grade
- Billy Kitchen
- Bonnie Gold
- Connor Nutley
- Digbeth Kid
- Scudboat
- Stephan Radischevski
- Gill Ray
- Joe Ray
- Dougie Bill
- Josef Jesus
- Lazarus
- Fred Farr: Shelby uncle and a runner
- Nipper: Shelby family member
- Henry: Shelby family member
- Billy Lovelock: Gypsy cousin and Shelby family member
Gang Members[]
Trivia[]
- The real Peaky Blinders were strongest in the 1890's. By the 1920's, the predominant gang in Birmingham was The Birmingham Gang, which had its roots in the pre-war Brummagem Boys Gang.
- The real Peaky Blinders were unlikely to carry razor blades in their hats during the 1890's when the gang was really present. Razor blades were considered a luxury item and too expensive for the gang to own. The idea of razor blades hidden in caps has its roots in the novel A Walk Down Summer Lane by John Douglas.