89506 William Stephen Ian WHITELAW, MC, MiD, 3 Scots Guards

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, Aug 30, 2019.

Tags:
  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 89506
    Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
    Name: William Stephen Ian WHITELAW, MC, MiD
    Unit: Scot Guards


    London Gazette : 1 December 1939
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34745/supplement/8088/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts.:—
    S. G'ds.
    7th Oct. 1939:—
    2nd Lt. William Stephen Ian WHITELAW (89506) (Univ. Cands.), from Gen. List ( T . A . ) .

    London Gazette : 21 December 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36850/supplement/5855/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe: —
    The Military Cross.
    Captain (temporary Major) William Stephen Ian Whitelaw (89506), Scots Guards (Melrose, Roxburghshire).

    London Gazette : 8 November 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37340/supplement/5444/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe: —
    S. G'ds.
    Lt.-Col. (actg.) W. S. I. WHITELAW, M.C. (89506)

    London Gazette : 2 July 1946
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37635/supplement/3375/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS
    The undermentioned Lts to be Capts 1st July,
    S. G'ds.
    (War Subs Capt) W. S. I. WHITELAW, M.C (89506)

    London Gazette : 25 July 1947
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38024/supplement/3483/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    S. G'ds.
    Capt. W. S. I. WHITELAW, M.C. (89506), resigns his commn , 26th July 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Maj.

    London Gazette : 3 September 1968
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44667/supplement/9582/data.pdf
    INFANTRY
    GUARDS DIVISION
    REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS
    Capt. (Hon. Maj.) W. S. I. WHITELAW, M.C. (89506), S.G., having attained the age limit, relin- quishes his commn., 28th Jun. 1968, retaining the hon. rank of Maj.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2020
    dbf, Aug 30, 2019
    #1
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Recommendation for Award for Whitelaw, William Stephen Ian Rank: Temporary Major... | The National Archives
    Name Whitelaw, William Stephen Ian
    Rank: Temporary Major
    Service No: 89506
    Regiment: 3 Tank Battalion Scots Guards
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
    Award: Military Cross
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 21 December 1944
    Date 1944
    Catalogue reference WO 373/49


    6 Guards Tank Brigade, 15 (s) Division, 8 Corps
    3rd (Tank) Battalion, Scots Guards

    89506 War Substantive Captain, Temporary Major William Stephen Ian Whitelaw, M.C.

    Major Whitelaw commanded 'S' Squadron, the left forward squadron, during the attack from Caumont to Point 226 on Sunday 30 July 1944.

    The course of the attack led for some 6,000 yards through country in which it was rarely possible to see more than 200 yards. The fields were small, surrounded by high banks with hedges on top. Nevertheless, major whitelaw kept perfect control and direction of his squadron throughout the whole of this long advance, in spite of minefield diversions and considerable resistance from enemy infantry and snipers.

    When ordered to push on with the utmost boldness to secure the objective before the effects of the barrage had passed, he speeded up the momentum of the attack in a remarkable manner and was successful in reaching the objective up to time. Some two hours later when a strong enemy armoured counter-attack developed from thickly wooded ground to the left rear, causing considerable tank casualties to his squadron in an extremely short time, he dealt with an very awkward situation with outstanding coolness, quickly reorganising the remainder and continuing the action, with the result that the enemy withdrew. Major Whitelaw's outstanding leadership and cool courage contributed greatly to the successful [one word obscured - possibly "capture"] and retention of an important objective.

    Awarded immediate military cross.

    London Gazette: 03/08/1944

    Screen Shot 2018-04-14 at 19.35.18.png
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: May 20, 2020
    dbf, May 20, 2020
    #1
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    6TH GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION ; INVESTITURE
    Original wartime caption: Major W.S.I. Whitelaw, 3rd Tk. Scots Guards, receives the M.C. from the C-in-C.
    Creator: No. 5 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit (Photographer), Seregant Morris (Undefined)
    Production date: 1945-06-12
    Catalogue number: BU 7829

    William Stephen Ian WHITELAW, MC, IWM BU 7829.png IWM BU 7829, William Stephen Ian WHITELAW, MC.png
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2020
    dbf, May 20, 2020
    #2
    Quarterfinal and Guy Hudson like this.
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, May 20, 2020
    #3
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, May 20, 2020
    #4
  6. Red Jim

    Red Jim Member

    I have an interesting story about Lord Whitelaw. He was the commanding officer of my mothers cousin, NICHOLSON, LEONARD DODGSON, commemorated later in this thread. Leonard was a Churchill driver, and was killed during he attack on point 226 on 30/07/44. Leonard's mother would never accept he was dead, believing he was shell shocked and wandering around France. When his mother passed away, his sister Doris (who I knew as Aunty Doris-she was actually my Mums cousin) , contacted the then SIr William Whitelaw, to see if he he could provide any more information about what had happened to her brother. At he best she was expecting a letter, so she was shocked when Sir William's office contacted her to advise her he was willing to come to see her personally. Sir William subsequently came to her house and gave her a moving description of the action in which Leonard died. On discovering that there was no grave for him, Sir William put Doris in touch with the Scots Guards Association, who in turn arranged for a gravestone to be erected in Hottot Les Bagues war cemetery and paid for Doris & her husband to travel to Normandy for the dedication of the grave.
     
    Red Jim, Feb 14, 2024
    #6
    RosyRedd, Quarterfinal, Owen and 3 others like this.
  7. Red Jim

    Red Jim Member

    ..
     
    Red Jim, Feb 14, 2024
    #7

Share This Page