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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 190

The C.B.E., Second World War group of seven awarded to Major C. V. Wintour, former editor-in-chief of the London Evening Standard newspaper, and father to famous editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, Anna Wintour

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) 2nd Type neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in case of issue; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Republic, War Cross 1939-45, 1939 reverse; United States of America, Republic, Bronze Star, in case of issue, sold together with accompanying archive, very fine (7)

C.B.E. London Gazette 30 December 1977.

[M.B.E.] London Gazette 2 August 1945, official citation reads:

'For conspicuous ability and devotion to duty at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force. Major Wintour, as a member of the Operations Section of Supreme Headquarters, has had under his charge Resistance activities both in enemy and enemy-occupied territories. This work called for delicate handling and far-sighted planning. In addition, he had had to deal with a wide range of subjects centring around the many political problems which arise in relation to military operations. This style of work has necessitated direct contacts with agencies outside Supreme Headquarters which have, in turn, entailed an assumption of responsibilities beyond those normally attaching to the rank of Major. With ability and great devotion to duty, he has more than met these responsibilities. By the high standard of his work he has made a considerable contribution to the success of the Allied war effort.'

United States of America, Bronze Star London Gazette 14 November 1947, official citation reads:

'Major Charles V. Wintour, British Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations from 23 August 1943 to 30 April 1945. As a member of the Strategic Planning Section and subsequently of the Operations Section, G-3 Division, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, Major Wintour had a large part in planning and coordinating Resistance activities in occupied countries of Europe which were designed to aid and support the assault on the Continent and assist in the advance of the Allies from the lodgement area by disrupting enemy communications in the interior. He also assisted in the establishment of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force Missions to various Allied Governments. He has performed his duties in a distinctive manner, thereby contributing materially to the success of military operations in Northwest Europe.'

Charles Vere Wintour was born on 18 May 1917 in Wimborne, Dorset to Alice Wintour and Major General Fitzgerald Wintour of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, late Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Ever the keen writer even from childhood, while attending Oundle School Wintour wrote articles for the Radio Times and won a prize with the Daily Mail. He took his journalistic talents to the University of Cambridge, where he read English and History at Peterhouse College, and while studying there he edited the Granta Magazine alongside Eric Hobsbawn.

The Second World War broke out soon after Wintour graduated Cambridge, and he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and enlist into the Royal Norfolk Regiment under the service number '117925'. He was promoted Temporary Major in July 1945 and disembodied from service on 31 December 1945.

During the war Wintour served in North-West Europe with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (S.H.A.E.F.), whose multi-national headquarters was commanded by General D. D. Eisenhower, future president of the United States. The S.H.A.E.F. was responsible for planning key Allied campaigns in North-West Europe, including operations such as the Normandy Landings. Wintour was part of the S.H.A.E.F's Operations Section and was responsible for overseeing Resistance activities in enemy territories occupied by the Germans. This would have likely consisted of coordinating support for underground operations in countries such as France and Belgium with the aim of sabotaging German communications and transport and gathering intelligence on the enemy.

Wintour's citation notes that he maintained direct contact with agencies outside the S.H.A.E.F. and assumed responsibilities normally entrusted to officers far higher than his rank of Major. Wintour was clearly a trusted intermediary between senior military headquarters and civilian intelligence, a cornerstone of diplomatic and special operations organisations. He was an officer of exceptional ability, evidently with talents for communication, which he built upon in his career after the war.

In 1946, months after his departure from the Army, Wintour became lead writer for the London Evening Standard and was soon promoted political editor. After a brief stint as assistant editor of the Sunday Express, Wintour returned to the London Evening Standard as deputy editor. In this role, he helped launch the 'Evening Standard Awards' in 1955, the oldest major theatre awards in the U.K, predating the Laurence Olivier Awards by about twenty years. By 1959, Wintour was promoted editor of the Standard and held the position until 1976. In 1981, Wintour launched the Sunday Express Magazine with his wife, Audrey Slaughter, and Working Woman magazine three years later. Aside from his editorial works, he advised on the launch of new newspapers such as The Independent, as well as ITV's new breakfast television show 'TV-am'. He wrote two books about his experiences in the newsroom and finally retired in 1989.

Wintour died in London on 4 November 1999, leaving behind his wife and five children, two of whom are the prominent journalist editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, and the diplomatic editor of The Guardian and political editor of The Observer, Patrick Wintour.

Sold together with an archive including:

i)
Telegram Wintour sent to his parents in November 1945 that reads: 'Awarded French citation and Croix de Guerre with silver gilt star whatever that means = Charles'

ii)
Citation for the Bronze Star, a certificate from the French government and M.B.E. citation.

iii)
A letter from Downing Street regarding the ceremony of the awarding of his C.B.E. Investiture in January 1978.

iv)
A photograph of Colonel Claude M. Thiele, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Army London Area Office awarded Wintour his Bronze Star.


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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480