Bandidos mourn after second bikie death in two days

The Bandidos are paying tribute to a second high-ranking member after the outlaw motorcycle club was hit with its second tragedy in as many days.

Exclusive: The Bandidos are paying tribute to a second high-ranking member after the outlaw motorcycle club was hit with its second tragedy in as many days.

One of the original members of the infamous bikie gang, 76-year-old Lance Gregory Purdie, whose nickname was Kid Rotten, died of cancer on Wednesday night.

It followed the death of high-ranking member Peter Martin, also known as Bandido George, in a horror crash on Tuesday while on his way to a family funeral.

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Purdie was one of the original group who broke away from the rival Comanchero and “patched over” to form the first Australian chapter of the Bandidos in an acrimonious split that led to the deadly Milperra massacre on Father’s Day in 1984, where six bikies and innocent teenager Leanne Walters were killed.

Purdie was jailed for manslaughter after the gun battle and on his release remained a loyal member of the club he helped found.

Bandidos members acts as pallbearers at the funeral of two of their own at Rookwood Cemetery in 1984, after the Milperra massacre. Picture: Ian Mainsbridge

Kid Rotten was remembered as a steadfast club member.

“He never looked down at anyone, he treated you the same whether you were a member or a prospect,” a source said.

As the Bandidos are now planning two separate funerals, it can be revealed that Martin had kissed one of his daughters and wished her happy birthday before leaving home on Tuesday morning for a family funeral, riding his Harley Davidson along with a fellow Bandido.

Martin’s wife was driving behind the bikes and witnessed the crash that killed her husband on the Great Westen Highway at Prospect.

Peter Martin, who died in a motorbike crash.

Milperra massacre victim Leanne Walters.

Police are investigating whether a Mazda involved in the accident had done a u-turn in front of the bikies as they left the Prospect Hotel.

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for Bandido George, who was a western Sydney club president.

His bikie brothers in Sydney have remembered him as a family man.

“He was a gentleman to his brothers,” one said on Thursday.

Scene of the Milperra bikie massacre.

“He was a happy chap/ He was a bloke who would never let you down.

“It was his daughter’s second birthday on the same day that he passed away and he had wished her a happy birthday before leaving.”

Bandido George died at the scene of the crash while his mate who was riding with him was taken to hospital and is expected to recover.

His grieving sister, Annett Martin, honoured his memory by posting a photo of Martin wearing Bandidos gear.

“He didn’t just wear a patch, he was a brother, a dad, a song, a friend and uncle,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Rest in paradise my brother. I know we didn’t always see eye-to-eye but that would never change the fact you were my brother and I love you.”
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