Never-before-seen SAS photos reveal intimate portrait of World War II heroes

Never-before-seen Second World War photos of the first SAS soldiers have been uncovered.

They offer a rare pictorial glimpse into the day-to-day life of men who served in the Special Air Service, a highly classified special forces unit of the British Army formed in 1941.

The 1940s images, described as 'an exceptional find', appear in a unique photo album set for auction as part of a military collection relating to L/Cpl Gerald Hutchinson 1st SAS Regiment (1922-1989).

The album of unpublished photos from World War II and the post-war era show SAS troopers on manoeuvres in the desert of North Africa and later in ski uniforms during training exercises.

It also contains photographs of renowned SAS commanding officer Paddy Mayne, plus other soldiers, some named. Mayne, from County Down, Ireland, was a founding member of the SAS. In addition, he was capped for Ireland and the British Lions at rugby union, was an amateur boxer and worked as a lawyer. During WW2, he became one of the British Army's most highly decorated soldiers. However, he was controversially denied a Victoria Cross. His acts of bravery included leading armoured Jeep squadrons through the front lines toward Oldenburg, Germany. He rescued wounded men and eliminated a German machine-gun position. A citation, approved by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, recommended Mayne for the Victoria Cross. However, the award was downgraded and Mayne received a third bar to his DSO. Mayne was also a lead character during the recent BBC dramatisation of the birth of the SAS - SAS Rogue Heroes. The military collection includes L/Cpl Hutchinson's full set of medals and corresponding miniatures, rare uniform cloth badges, scrapbooks, poems, and associated paperwork including a certificate signed by Lt-Col Mayne.

The collection will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers' Medals and Militaria Auction on June 15 with a guide price of £4,000-£5,000.