Bootleggers, Rum Runners & Gentleman Thieves

A life of Rattenbury and McCoy

Depicted here is Bill McCoy, the archetypical gentleman smuggler.

Throughout history, alcohol smugglers have earned reputations that have painted them as heroes and villains in the eyes of the public.

From the gentleman smuggler Bill McCoy to the dangerous Gertrude ‘Cleo’ Lythgoe, rum runners are the stuff of folk legend and another name to be mentioned in the same company is Jack Rattenbury.

Born in the village of Beer to the east of Devon, Rattenbury was known as ‘The Rob Roy of the West.’ He wrote a journal about his exploits called Memoirs of a Smuggler, a major reason why Rattenbury is remembered today.

Jack Rattenbury.