Bermondsey banger, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Bermondsey banger n.

[Bermondsey, an area of south London + banger, one who both ‘bangs’ his fellows physically, and makes a ‘bang’ in society; the Star was a very popular inn-cum-music-hall]

‘a society leader among the South London tanneries. He must frequent ‘the Star’, be prepared to hold his own and fight at all times for his social belt’ (Ware).

1909

J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era.