Home > London > E1 > Grave Maurice Grave Maurice
Date of photo: c1930	Picture source: Timothy Keane
The Grave Maurice was situated at 269 Whitechapel Road. This pub opened in 1874. Following use as a wine bar this was closed in 2010 and converted to a bookmakers shop.
In the 1960's the Kray Twins were regulars here and in 2003 the a picture of the Grave Maurice was featured on the cover of Under the Influence, a compilation album of tracks put together by Morrissey. Although it has now closed and has been turned into a Paddy Power betting shop the words "Grave Maurice Rebuilt 1874" are stiil engraved on the first floor wall.
Colin Price
This pub was established in 1723 and rebuilt in its present form in 1874.  It was a Truman’s Brewery house.  It is said that regular visitor Ronnie Kray left his mark permanently on the face of one customer here in the mid-60s, using a red hot poker from the fireplace – it was also apparently frequented by ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser.  Rather run down in recent years (a 2002 review described it as “Populated with people who appear rarely to see daylight”), it achieved further notoriety when Morrisey was photographed standing outside the pub for an album cover and pilgrims following in his footsteps were made to feel less than welcome.  In the late 2000s it spent a time named ‘Q’ before reverting to the name Grave Maurice briefly and closing at the end of 2010 for conversion to a bookies.
Stephen Harris (March 2011)
I frequented this pub on many occasions whilst working in a branch of Nathaniel Berry & Sons at number 265 Whitechapel Road., I remember the landlord and landlady ran a very tidy establishment, some customers commented that it was like being in a pub ‘up West’ meaning in the west end of London. I remember they did an excellent roast lunch for about 5 bob (shillings) or a doorstep sandwich of cold beef or pork for 2s/6d. I think a pint of Truman’s bitter was about 2s.0d or maybe less. I worked for Berry’s between 1962 and 1965 and often went there for my lunch or a drink after work. Unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the landlord/landlady back then. I know the pub gained a reputation as being a hang-out for the Kray’s but to be honest I don’t remember any bother there or indeed know anything about the Kray’s then.
Ken Davies (July 2015)
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Contacts
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Name Dates Comments Lorraine Kilburn 1940s/1950s My grandparents were the landlords of this pub and I was born opposite in The London Hospital in 1949 and lived there when I was a baby. Mike Chamberlain 1960s   Robin Plampton 1966 The manager/owner was a Mr Hodges. I went to Forest School in Snaresbrook with their son, John. They must of had a few quid as it was a quite expensive public school. I remember that the pub was the jewel in the crown of a run down area. I visited once and it was very smart, catering for the hospital doctors, nurses etc. Peter Owen 1971-1978 A great pub in the 70s, dark and velvety and usually full of doctors from The London Hospital opposite. I think the pub's decline started when the hospital opened its social club which had a bar that was significantly cheaper. Nigel Bilson 1987 I was a Wine & Spirit salesman for Gilbeys who supplied this pub and the elderly couple who ran the place informed me that the optics were all original made of mother of pearl and very old!
Other Photos
Picture source: Darkstar
Picture source: Darkstar
Picture source: Darkstar