Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Some like it hot! Marilyn lingerie sale
6ft 6in Korean war hero dies at 90
SAUCY lingerie that belonged to Marilyn Monroe is being sold.
The actress’s revealing quarter-cup bra – size 36C – and a black-lace bustier are among items on offer in Las Vegas today.
The underwear was risqué for the time but fit the image of Marilyn, who appeared in Playboy and films such as Some Like It Hot, but who died in 1962 of a drugs overdose at 36.
Her beauty products are also for sale, including eyelash curlers, false eyelashes and a lipstick brush.
A figure-hugging black dress worn by her has a reserve price of £45,000.
Martin Nolan, of Julien’s Auctions, said: “Anything to do with Marilyn always does well, particularly under garments. She was a sex symbol.” A GIANT soldier who won the Victoria Cross by single-handedly charging the enemy to save his comrades has died at the age of 90.
Bill Speakman, the only living VC holder from the Korean War, was just 24 when his incredible bravery captured the hearts of the nation.
“Big Bill” fought off a sustained attack from 6,000 Chinese and North Korean solders for more than four hours in 1951, despite receiving a shrapnel wound in his leg.
The 6ft 6in private hurled grenades until they ran out. He then threw rocks, tins and even empty beer bottles, foiling several attacks.
In a final show of supreme courage, he repeatedly charged the enemy, allowing his comrades enough time to evacuate the wounded.
Thousands turned out in his hometown of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to give him a hero’s welcome a year later.
Despite his height and fame, he was a modest and quiet man who found civilian life, and celebrity, difficult.
Born on September 21, 1927, Bill was raised by a single mum. He signed up with the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland at 17.
In 1950 he joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers as combat in Korea loomed. His regiment was bombarded with shell and mortar fire early on November 4, 1951 as they defended a position on Maryang San Hill.
Describing the life-and-death struggle for which he won his VC, Bill said: “It was hand-to-hand. There was no time to pull back the bolt of the rifle.
“It was November, ground was hard, so grenades bounced and did damage.”
Recalling the Queen presenting the medal, Britain’s highest military award for bravery, he said: “I was her first VC. I think she was nervous. I was very nervous.”
The citation said: “Private Speakman’s heroism under intense fire ... when painfully wounded was beyond praise and is deserving of supreme recognition.”
A father of seven and three-time divorcee, Bill left the Army in 1970. He was promoted to sergeant in the KOSB in 1955.
He died peacefully on Wednesday at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Altrincham, where he was a resident. His family were at his bedside.
In later years, Bill visited South Korea, and was awarded its highest honour, the Order of Military Merit. He presented a replica of his VC to the Korean people in 2015, after selling his medals to a dealer for £1,500 to renovate his house.
He wanted his ashes scattered in No Man’s Land, between the two Koreas.