the name you are refering to is Johnny Raminsky, who was a safecracker (or a peterman - i think its a reference to saltpeter in gunpowder)from the Gorbals in Glasgow. He was drafted into the special sevices during the 2nd world war and parachuted behind german lines to blow safes and steal documents.

On his release from the army, with high commendations, instead of jumping on the train from York to Glasgow he promptly blew the local jewellers allegedly impregnable safe.

Johnny spent the rest of his life in and out of prisons, which is where he met my father, 'Paddy Meehan' an aspiring and up and coming Peterman - but thats another story!

Hope this is of some help - Gary