Mile End Man

For nearly 50 years, the identity of a well-dressed man who tragically died at a London underground station remains a mystery. Now, the clock is ticking on what could be our final chance to unveil the truth.

Living Depiction by Hew Morrison©

On the morning of Thursday, May 8, 1975, tragedy struck at Mile End station in east London. A man in his 40s or 50s, approximately 6 feet tall, with receding black hair, lost his life to a train. He was a clean-shaven white European, possibly wearing false upper teeth.

This man carried valuable possessions and dressed with distinction: sporting blue trousers, a light blue shirt, and a navy blue blazer adorned with distinct yellow buttons from Burton. Underneath, he had a white vest, Y-front underpants, long grey socks, and smart black leather lace-up shoes in size 7 from Moss Bros.

Description and Posessions

  • Age: 40s or 50s (at the time of this death), and therefore would be in his 90s today – having been born in the 1920s-30s

  • Height: Approximately 6ft (183cm)

  • Ethnicity: White European

  • Hair: Black receding hair, clean-shaven, and well presented

  • Teeth: Had false teeth, possibly only upper teeth

  • Attire: Smartly dressed, blue trousers, blue shirt, navy Burton blazer w/ yellow buttons, black Moss Bros leather shoes

  • Watch: Metal watch from Tudor Oyster brand (created by Rolex), worth £1,000-£2,000 in today’s money

  • Lighter: Metal Ronson Varaflame lighter

  • Pen: Pen engraved w/ ‘PTL Motors – Western Road E17’

Questions you can ask yourself

Mile End Man would be aged around 90 now, so please think about who you could pass these questions on to, and share them with your family and friends.

  1. Do you recognise the emblem or branding of ‘PTL Motors – Western Road E17’? Have you or anyone you know ever had a connection to PTL Motors in Walthamstow?

  2. Were you acquainted with someone who worked in garages around the Walthamstow area during the 1970s?

  3. Were you a part of the underground network or employed at Mile End station in the 1970s? Alternatively, did you witness any incidents there during that time?

  4. Do you know someone who owned a metal Ronson Varaflame lighter?

  5. Did you have relatives or friends who were involved in this area during the 1970s?

  6. Did you or anyone you know have any ties to individuals who might have frequented Mile End during the 1970s?

  7. Have you heard any stories or anecdotes from friends or family about an unidentified man who matches the description provided?

Remember, if you have information that may be of use to us, however insignificant you think it may be,
please contact us using the form below, by calling us on 0300 102 1011 or emailing us at appeals@locate.international. You may submit information anonymously.