Jimmy McCavern in 1929
James ''Jimmy'' McCavern (born in 1899) was an Scottish criminal, the leader of the Billy Boys and a member of the Glasgow razor gang.
Biography[]
Jimmy was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, besides this very little is known about his early life. He entered into the criminal business. and became the leader of Billy Boy's, a ruthless Protestant Razor gang which ran every man, coal mine and ship east of Glasgow. He also held ties with Belfast and UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force.) In 1929 he had his first contact with the Peaky Blinders , where he ambushes Aberama Gold in the forest where he is staying and kills his son, Bonnie Gold. McCavern does this to send a message to Tommy that the Billy Boys are done being subjected by the Peaky Blinders and it is time to share out what they own. Aberama is heartbroken by Bonnie's murder, and promises to get his revenge on Jimmy for what he has done to his son.
He left a scarecrow in Tommy's yard with a message for him despite the fact that Charles Shelby could have been injured by the minefield around. Moreover, he murdered Bonnie Gold in order to send a message to Tommy, showing no remorse for his actions as he strung him up on a cross.
Aberama's revenge plan is soon put in motion when he ventures to Scotland posing as road workers. As the Billy Boys approach, Aberama and his men attack them, pouring tar on their faces to send McCavern a message. Despite this, Tommy strikes a business deal with Jimmy regarding the shipment of pure opium, much to Aberama's dismay, who is eventually convinced to call truce on the war.
McCavern due to his antisemitic and anticatholic feelings was a fascist simpathicer and he worked for Oswald Mosley giving him protection against jews, gypsies and communist in his speeches.
On the night of Mosley's speech, Aberama attempts to kill McCavern. He sneaks up on McCavern, who is providing security at the event, however Gold is stabbed to death by an IRA assailant which was protecting Mosley from being killed by the Peaky Blinders.