William Darling (politician)

For other people named William Darling, see William Darling (disambiguation).
Sir
William Young Darling
CBE FRSE LLD MC

Darling in 1947.
Portrait by Walter Stoneman.
Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South
In office
1945 – 1957
Preceded by Samuel Chapman
Succeeded by Michael Clark Hutchison
Majority 12,887 (35.03%)
Personal details
Born 8 May 1885
Carlisle, Cumbria, England
Died 4 February 1962 (aged 76)
Resting place Traquair Parish Churchyard
Political party Unionist
Spouse(s) Agnes Olive Simpson
Relatives Alistair Darling (great nephew)
Education James Gillespie’s School
Daniel Stewart’s College
Heriot-Watt College
Alma mater University of Edinburgh
Profession Politician, Banker, Soldier
Military service
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1914-1922
Rank Lieutenant
Unit Black Watch
Royal Scots
Battles/wars First World War
Irish War of Independence
Awards Military Cross

Sir William Young Darling CBE FRSE LLD MC (8 May 1885 – 4 February 1962) was the Unionist Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons for the Edinburgh South constituency from 1945 to 1957. He was a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland from 1942 to 1957.

Life

He was born in Carlisle, the second son of William Darling of Edinburgh. He was educated firstly at James Gillespie’s School then Daniel Stewart's College and Heriot-Watt College. Edinburgh University later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD).[1]

In the First World War he joined the Black Watch as a private in 1914 and then after receiving a commission he joined the Royal Scots in 1915 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He saw much action and was wounded five times. He was awarded the Military Cross with bar and was Mentioned in Dispatches. From 1920 to 1922 he served in Eire as part of the Irish War of Independence. During this period, together with Hugh Pollard (1888–1966) he jointly printed the Weekly Summary: a synopsis of the war from a British perspective.[2] On leaving the army he became Director of the family drapers firm.

He became a member of Edinburgh City Council in 1933 and was City Treasurer from 1937 to 1940. He was Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1941 to 1944; National Government Candidate for West Lothian, 1937; and Chairman, Scottish Council on Industry, from 1942 to 1946.

He was appointed CBE in 1923 and knighted in 1943. In the Second World War he was Chief Air Raid Warden for Edinburgh from 1939 to 1941.[3]

He died on 4 February 1962. He is buried in Traquair Parish Churchyard.[4]

Publications

The first five books were published anonymously:

Published under his own name:

Published under the pseudonym "Timoleon":

Published under his own name:

Family

He married Agnes Olive Simpson (1885–1962) in 1914.

He was the great uncle of Alistair Darling,[5] an Edinburgh MP from 1987 to 2015 who held various ministerial and Cabinet posts in the Labour government from 1997 to 2010.

Artistic recognition

His portrait (as Lord Provost of Edinburgh), by Herbert James Gunn is held by the City of Edinburgh Council.[6]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.cairogang.com/other-people/castle-propaganda/police/darling/darling-wm.html
  3. ↑ http://www.cairogang.com/other-people/castle-propaganda/police/darling/darling-wm.html
  4. ↑ https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1100072
  5. ↑ "Edinburgh South West". Scottish Politics. Retrieved 14 November 2006.
  6. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/sir-william-young-darling-18851962-lord-provost-of-edinbur93357
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Samuel Chapman		 Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South
1945–1957 		Succeeded by
Michael Clark Hutchison
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