William Darling (politician)

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.

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).

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. On leaving the army he became Director of the family drapers firm.