Victory in Europe Day – May 08, 1945.
It’s been 80 years since Sir Winston Churchill announced over the radio that the Allies had accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany’s armed forces, and we at Wheelers Luxury Gifts continue to remember and honour the sacrifices made by countless courageous people in the name of freedom and peace. In recognition of this momentous day, we would like to share with you the availability of two extremely special products.

First, “The Lucky” pencil, from Yard-O-Led.

This pencil belonged to Lt. Leslie March, who was commissioned in June 1941 after volunteering to join the Royal Artillery as a private. It was during his time with the Cameron Highlanders, however, to which he had been transferred as a Lieutenant in 1942, that his life was saved when a bullet meant for him instead hit his Yard-O-Led pencil (which was given to him by his wife Margaret). The pencil naturally became his lucky charm, going with him everywhere he went. Sadly, in 1944, he landed on the Normandy beaches and was inspecting trenches when he was hit by a shell and instantly killed. He was 23.
The life-saving pencil was kept by his family, and eventually it was generously donated to Yard-O-Led by his step brother, Mr. Kelly. Yard-O-Led are therefore proud to remake and relaunch a limited edition copy of the archived model “The Deco 34”, in honour of Lt. Leslie March.
This pencil was originally sold in 1930, and has not been made for many years. Yard-O-Led were required to remake all the tooling needed to create a copy of the original, and each one is now handmade using the very same machines that would have made Lt. Leslie March’s pencil. Due to the fact that each pencil is handmade and made to order, they will not be exactly identical to the photos or the original pencil and require at least 2-3 weeks for delivery. In addition, a percentage of proceeds is donated by Yard-O-Led to the Royal Marines Charity.

“The Lucky” Gold Vermeil Limited Edition Pencil – £550.00
“The Lucky” Sterling Silver Limited Edition Pencil – £375.00

Next, Taylor’s is proud to announce the launch of its “Victory Port”, commemorating this 80th anniversary. This rare and limited edition falls into a new category of Port wine, the 80-Year-Old Tawny Port. Adrian Bridge, CEO of Taylor’s says, “This wine is a tribute not only to a pivotal moment in history but also to the generations who came before us and shaped the world we know today. The name Victory embodies the resilience and spirit that have defined our era, and it is a great honour for us to craft this wine as a lasting tribute. We are also proud to introduce this wine as the first under the IVDP’s (Port and Douro Wine Institute) 80-Year-Old category, a new milestone in Port wine classification.”
This limited edition Port includes exactly 1,945 bottles – a clear reference to the year 1945, when peace was restored. Each of these bottles are individually numbered and are presented in a bespoke luxury case, crafted from Ash wood. Taylor’s describes this wine as perfectly balanced “with sweetness, a smooth velvety palate, which is lifted by a crisp acidity which gives the wine an attractive freshness and elegance. The finish is immensely long, finely constituted and wonderfully balanced.” A perfect way to honour such a significant moment in history.

Taylor’s Limited Edition “Victory Port” 80-Year-Old Tawny Port - £600.00

Each product is special order only due to extremely high demand, and therefore not in our stock. If you would like to purchase any of the above, please contact the Wheelers Luxury Gifts customer service team by emailing sales@wheelersluxurygifts.com or calling the shop at 01509 266320, and we will have your item(s) ordered in for you.

Licensing Act 2003 – It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic products if you are under the age of 18.
It is illegal to purchase alcoholic products for anyone under 18 years of age.
Please drink responsibly.