Johnny Ramensky
Johnny Ramensky | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jonas Ramanauskas 6 April 1906 Glenboig, North Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Died | 4 November 1972 (aged 66) |
| Other names | John Ramsay |
| Occupation | Criminal |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret McManus (m. 1931; her death 1934) Lisa or Lily Mulholland (unknown) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1943–1946 |
| Unit | Royal Fusiliers Commandos |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Military Medal |
Johnny Ramensky MM, also known as John Ramsay, Gentleman Johnny, and Gentle Johnny (6 April 1906 – 4 November 1972) was a Scottish career criminal who used his safe-cracking abilities as a commando during the Second World War. A popular song about him, "The Ballad of Johnny Ramensky", was written in 1959 by Norman Buchan, later to become a Labour Party member of parliament, and recorded by singer Enoch Kent, Buchan's brother-in-law. Though a career criminal, Ramensky received the nickname "Gentle Johnny" as he never used violence when being apprehended by the police.