the outbreak of war. After a being conscripted into the army, from which he was discharged for beating an anti-Semitic superior officer, Comer returned to London to expand his control. Spreading his influence outside of the East End into the West End, Comer made huge profits from running drinking clubs and gaming rooms, as well as taking “protection” cash from businesses across the capital. Although his rise to the top was violent, Comer's real skill was bringing together criminals of different capabilities for 'jobs'. Muscle, burglars, safe crackers, forgers, fences, hi-jackers and thieves were brought together to suit the 'job' at hand. On top of this, there were MP's and Police on his payroll and, at his strongest, up to a thousand men on call to face any threat to his empire. It was organised crime in a way that hadn't been seen in London before. It was under Comer's leadership that criminals, such as Billy Hill, the Kray twins and Freddie Forman were able to rise in London's underworld. Decline and later years From the mid 1950's, after over a decade at the top of London's underworld, Comer's control of the East and West End was challenged. Billy Hill was a talented and smart thief who had written to Comer asking to work for him whilst Hill was serving time. Comer took a shine to Hill and on his release form prison Hill was picked up, taken to Saville Row for a suit and then on to meet Comer. Recognising Hill's talent for crime, Comer took him under his wing and gave Hill a few spielers to run. Eventually, when Hill had amassed enough money and clout he made his move against his mentor. Trouble with the law and a systematic attack on his sources of income by Hill and others, lead to Comer being squeezed out. In 1954, after publishing derogatory articles at the behest of Billy Hill, Comer attacked Sunday People crime journalist Duncan Webb and was fined £50. He was accused of possession of a knuckle-duster and convicted of grievous bodily harm. Although a small fine for Comer, the court case took over a lot of his time. Similarly, in 1955 he was arrested following a knife fight with Albert Dimes. Dimes had refused to pay protection money to Comer who confronted him in Frith Street, Soho. Dimes fled but was cornered by Comer in a