Day 64
Willie Merrilees
The following post has been graciously provided by Maggie Allan of the Leith Heritage Group depicting some of the lovely memories and antics about the well remembered Willie Merrilees. However, at the outset, we’d like to note that In recent times, criticism has been levelled against Willie Merrilees for the vigorous way in which he pursued what he saw to be the vice of homosexuality and promiscuity prevalent in the Edinburgh criminal underworld. While his unpublished personal papers do somewhat modify the level of homophobia attested to in his autobiography, it is important in 2020 to acknowledge that these attitudes are entirely unacceptable.
Chief Constable Willie Merrilees OBE (1898 – 1984)
Undoubtedly one of Leith's most famous sons, Willie Merrilees was born in Cochrane's Pend in the Kirkgate and started work at one of the Ropeworks when he was only 12 years old. He lost 4 fingers on his left hand in an accident involving a rope winding machine and moved on to work in the Docks at one of the many shipyards. During this period, he showed his tremendous bravery by rescuing no less than 21 people from the Docks! For this he was recognised by the City and met the Lord Provost, Sir Thomas Hutchison, who asked him what he would really like to do. Willie replied that he would like to be a policeman, but he was only 5ft 6 inches, 4 inches below the required height. Thanks to the endeavours of the Lord Provost, he did join the police and so began an illustrious career resulting in his appointment as Chief Constable of the Lothians & Peebles Constabulary in 1950.
He is especially remembered for his disguises and one particular episode in 1940 when he apprehended a German Spy, Robert Petter, alias Werner Walti at Waverley Station.
However, he never forgot his roots in Leith and latterly lived in Park Road in Trinity/Newhaven. Dunforth Children's Home was also in Park Road and Willie Merrilees used his connection with Walt Disney to arrange a special visit for them from Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Trigger in 1954. (My husband and his brother were lucky enough to be escorted through the crowds and into the Children's Home to meet them and got Roy Roger's autograph (and Trigger's!).) In due course Roy Rogers and Dale adopted one of the girls from the home. This connection with Walt Disney also resulted in Willie adopting, but on this occasion it was the terrier who starred in the 1950s film of Greyfriars Bobby.
Finally, for many years Willie organised a Christmas Party for the Old Folks of Leith. When he died, Leith Rotary continued the tradition that he had started. There was bingo and musical entertainment, initially in the old State Cinema and latterly in the Bingo Hall in Manderson Street. At the end goody bags of food were handed out by Santa and his helpers. Willie's widow continued to support the event and it was always referred to as “Willie Merrilees Christmas Party”.