William Merrilees
Encyclopedia
William Merrilees OBE
KPM
(1898–21 August 1984) was Chief Constable
of the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary
from 1950 to 1968.
Willie Merrilees was Scotland’s best known policeman in his lifetime thanks to a flamboyant career involving disguise, celebrated court cases and tireless charity and welfare work. Known as the pocket-sized Detective with a Battleship reputation; he was featured in the Valiant
comic, and painted twice by Henry Raeburn Dobson
.
Born abt. 1898 in Cochrane’s Pend in the Kirkgate of Leith
in a top flat; he was born in poverty, but with a strict upbringing.
He started work at a Ropeworks when 12 years old and soon mangled left hand in a rope winding machine. To help in recovering from his injuries the young man learnt typing and shorthand before joining a shipyard.
He married Agnes Buchan in 1919.
The young Willie had made a name for himself by rescuing 21 people from drowning in separate incidents, and when receiving yet another award he came to the attention of Sir Thomas Hutchison, Bt. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh who asked him what he wanted to do with his life, the reply being that he wanted to join the police. Hutchison recommended him to the Chief Constable of Edinburgh Roderick Ross
.
Despite Merrilees only being 5 ft 6 inches tall (four inches under the minimum regulation height) and missing the left fingers of his hand; Ross saw his potential and promised to recruit him. He was appointed a Constable on 9 September 1924.
He soon made an impression and by 1926 he was appointed confidential enquiry officer to the Chief Constable. After waiting the statutory minimum serving time of 5 years he was promoted on 1 January 1930 to the rank of Sergeant and placed in charge of Recruiting and Licensing Department.
In 1933 The Kosmo Club brothels are brought to court.
Promoted to the rank of Inspector on 17 January 1934.
Made Detective Inspector 1938.
1938 Special Branch formed in Edinburgh.
From 19 March 1940 he was second in command of Edinburgh CID with the rank of Detective Lieutenant.
Merrilees was promoted to rank of Detective Superintendent on 6 August 1940 and put in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Licensing Department, Aliens, Dangerous Drugs and Firearms Department.
Dressed as a Porter on 30 September 1940 he arrested Werner Walti in Waverley railway station
in Edinburgh. Walti having landed the same day by submarine with Karl Drucke at Buckie.
Awarded the King’s Police Medal for distinguished service in June 1944.
Promoted to Detective Chief Inspector 15 January 1947.
On 16 May 1947 he was appointed Chief Constable of the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary.
Awarded the O.B.E. on 1 January 1959.
In November 1959 he appeared on This is your Life
hosted by Eamonn Andrews
.
In September 1963 on reaching his 65th birthday he was asked by the County Convenor James G. Methven to continue in office for another 5 years.
Given the freedom of Burgh of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade 18June 1965.
1966 his memoirs “The short Arm of the Law" was published by John Long of London.
He lived in Juniper Green
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
KPM
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
(1898–21 August 1984) was Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
of the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary
Lothian and Borders Police
Lothian and Borders Police is the territorial police force for the Scottish council areas of the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian...
from 1950 to 1968.
Willie Merrilees was Scotland’s best known policeman in his lifetime thanks to a flamboyant career involving disguise, celebrated court cases and tireless charity and welfare work. Known as the pocket-sized Detective with a Battleship reputation; he was featured in the Valiant
Valiant (comic)
Valiant was the title of a British boys adventure comics anthology which ran from 1962 to 1976. It was published by IPC Magazines and was one of their major adventure titles throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.-Publication history:...
comic, and painted twice by Henry Raeburn Dobson
Henry Raeburn Dobson
Henry Raeburn Dobson - also known as Raeburn Dobson - was a Scottish portrait and landscape painter from Edinburgh who was active in Edinburgh and Brussels from 1918/1920 until 1980. His father Henry John Dobson and his brother Cowan Dobson were genre and portrait painters...
.
Born abt. 1898 in Cochrane’s Pend in the Kirkgate of Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
in a top flat; he was born in poverty, but with a strict upbringing.
He started work at a Ropeworks when 12 years old and soon mangled left hand in a rope winding machine. To help in recovering from his injuries the young man learnt typing and shorthand before joining a shipyard.
He married Agnes Buchan in 1919.
The young Willie had made a name for himself by rescuing 21 people from drowning in separate incidents, and when receiving yet another award he came to the attention of Sir Thomas Hutchison, Bt. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh who asked him what he wanted to do with his life, the reply being that he wanted to join the police. Hutchison recommended him to the Chief Constable of Edinburgh Roderick Ross
Roderick Ross
Roderick Ross CVO CBE KPM was Chief Constable of Edinburgh City Police from 1900 to 1935.Ross was born in West Helmsdale in the parish of Kildonan, Sutherland, the son of a crofter...
.
Despite Merrilees only being 5 ft 6 inches tall (four inches under the minimum regulation height) and missing the left fingers of his hand; Ross saw his potential and promised to recruit him. He was appointed a Constable on 9 September 1924.
He soon made an impression and by 1926 he was appointed confidential enquiry officer to the Chief Constable. After waiting the statutory minimum serving time of 5 years he was promoted on 1 January 1930 to the rank of Sergeant and placed in charge of Recruiting and Licensing Department.
In 1933 The Kosmo Club brothels are brought to court.
Promoted to the rank of Inspector on 17 January 1934.
Made Detective Inspector 1938.
1938 Special Branch formed in Edinburgh.
From 19 March 1940 he was second in command of Edinburgh CID with the rank of Detective Lieutenant.
Merrilees was promoted to rank of Detective Superintendent on 6 August 1940 and put in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Licensing Department, Aliens, Dangerous Drugs and Firearms Department.
Dressed as a Porter on 30 September 1940 he arrested Werner Walti in Waverley railway station
Edinburgh Waverley railway station
Edinburgh Waverley railway station is the main railway station in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Covering an area of over 25 acres in the centre of the city, it is the second-largest main line railway station in the United Kingdom in terms of area, the largest being...
in Edinburgh. Walti having landed the same day by submarine with Karl Drucke at Buckie.
Awarded the King’s Police Medal for distinguished service in June 1944.
Promoted to Detective Chief Inspector 15 January 1947.
On 16 May 1947 he was appointed Chief Constable of the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary.
Awarded the O.B.E. on 1 January 1959.
In November 1959 he appeared on This is your Life
This Is Your Life (UK TV series)
This Is Your Life is a British biographical television documentary, based on the 1952 American show of the same name. It was hosted by Eamonn Andrews from 1955 until 1964, and then from 1969 until his death in 1987 aged 64...
hosted by Eamonn Andrews
Eamonn Andrews
Eamonn Andrews, CBE , was an Irish television presenter based in the United Kingdom.-Life and career:...
.
In September 1963 on reaching his 65th birthday he was asked by the County Convenor James G. Methven to continue in office for another 5 years.
Given the freedom of Burgh of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade 18June 1965.
1966 his memoirs “The short Arm of the Law" was published by John Long of London.
He lived in Juniper Green
Juniper Green
Juniper Green is a village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 9 kilometres south west of the city centre. It bridges the city bypass, and extends along the foothills of the Pentlands. It is bordered by Colinton to the east and Currie to the south-west. Administratively, Juniper Green...
.