Brave Willie’s medals

Posted: April 17th, 2015

MANY will remember the indomitable WILLIE SOUTAR, who worked at the Daily Mirror from 1934 to 1986, principally as art editor and later as strips editor. Willie died in 2008 aged 88, and now his daughter Carolyn has put forward a collection of Willie’s medals and other memorabilia to be sold at auction at Spink on April 23.
Carolyn said: “I’m selling not for the money, but because, sadly, I do not have anyone to pass these precious items on to. I decided to go to auction rather than let them be ‘just another exhibit’. This set includes Willie’s Military Medal, awarded ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East’, and some Mirror memorabilia.”
Willie’s Lot 33 is featured in the Orders, Decorations, Campaign medals and militaria sale which starts at 10am on April 23 at Spink’s London HQ, 69 Southampton Row, London WC1 4ET (https://www.spink.com).
Here’s the full description from the auctioneer’s catalogue:
A Second War Western Desert ‘Wireless Operators’ M.M. Group of Six to Gunner W.R. Soutar, Royal Artillery: a) Military Medal, G.VI.R. (993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar. R.A.), surname officially corrected; b) 1939-1945 Star; c) Africa Star; d) Burma Star; e) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf; the campaign stars and medals official later issues, extremely fine, with the following related items:
*The recipient’s two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 5.4.1945 and 27.9.1945; Named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the M.M., and Defence Council enclosure for the Campaign
Medals;
*The recipient’s Record of Service, Soldier’s Release Book, and National Registration Identity Card
*Two letters to the recipient from Hugh (later Lord) Cudlipp, Editorial Director of the Daily Mirror
* Letter to the recipient from the Press Secretary, Clarence House
* Copy of Twelve Legions of Angels, by H.C.T. (later Lord) Dowding, this slightly damaged
* Portrait photograph of the recipient, together with four more photographs
* Various copies of the Daily Mirror covering the death and funeral of H.M. King George VI, partly
designed by the recipient
* Hand-drawn card [caricature] presented to the recipient on his retirement from the Daily Mirror
* Copy of the recipient’s obituary in The Times, 12.1.2009 (lot) £800-1,200
M.M. London Gazette 19.3.1942 No. 993647 Gunner William Richard Souter [sic], Royal Horse Artillery (Scarborough) ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the
Middle East”.