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Auction: 15001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 33

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 presented to the recipient on his retirement from the Daily Mirror
- Copy of the recipient's obituary in The Times, 12.1.2009 (lot)

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.'
The Recommendation states: 'This man performed the duties of W/T Operator in his Battery Commander's truck. He showed exceptional devotion to duty and disregard of his own safety. He remained calmly at his wireless set sending situation reports whilst others were taking shelter from heavy shell fire. Although his truck was hit with splinters more than once, he remained unperturbed. It was largely due to this man's outstanding behaviour that much valuable information reached the Divisional Commander.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 5.4.1945 993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar, M.M., Royal Regiment of Artillery
'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 27.9.1945 993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar, M.M., Royal Regiment of Artillery
'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.'

993647 Gunner William Richard Soutar, M.M., was born in London, 9.4.1920, and joined the Daily Mirror as a messenger boy in 1934. On the outbreak of the Second World War he enlisted in the Royal Artillery, 15.8.1940, and trained as a driver/ signaller; posted to Palestine to a Mountain Artillery Regiment, he and his battery commander were later transferred to North Africa to join 8 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, serving with the 1st New Zealand Division. Whilst with them he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Western Desert in late 1941, remaining at his radio sending situation reports while under intense enemy artillery fire. According to his Times obituary, 'he was furious when his tea caddy was penetrated by a shell splinter.' He subsequently served in India and Burma, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches 'for courage in his duties as a signaller, again under fire' (Times obituary refers). His last posting, appropriately for a newspaper-man, was on the staff of the 49th Division newspaper, Polar News, in the British Army of occupation in Germany, before he was discharged, 20.10.1946.

After the War, Soutar returned to the Daily Mirror, 'and secured a position on the newspaper's picture desk. Over the following decades he was promoted to picture editor, art editor, executive editor and, finally, strips editor. 'A shared love of boats saw him form a lifelong friendship with [Daily Mirror Editor Hugh] Cudlipp, with Soutar acting as chief mechanic and navigator on annual summer cruises with Cudlipp. A favourite route was across the English Channel from Hamble to Honfleur.' (ibid). He died 6.12.2008, aged 88.

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Sold for
£750