Here we have Compton Mackenzie, or more correctly (and eventually) Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie OBE. He was born in January 1883, and was a really prolific author in many genres, history, biography, autobiography, and fiction. He also wrote serious non-fiction articles for magazines and papers supporting Scotland in every way.
It is unsurprising that he co founded the National Party of Scotland, which was the first political group to lobby for self governance and splitting from English control. However you may be surprised to learn that he was not Scottish at all, being born in County Durham. His name was also only Mackenzie, the Compton having been adopted as a stage name by the theatrical scion of the family.
The card mentions "War service in the Dardanelles" but only in passing. The truth is much more interesting for he was pretty much a spy, serving with British Intelligence not only at Gallipoli but throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, and eventually being in charge of the Athens group - which tried to assassinate the King of Greece, by poison, in 1916. He received the OBE in 1919 for War Service.
He was knighted in 1952 and died in November 1972
This set was only issued in Scotland. I don't know why, as it is a very attractive set and the people included would have been of interest to collectors in other areas of the British Isles.
It is also intriguing that in the same month Ardath issued the larger sized version of "Film, Stage and Radio Stars"at home and abroad, and "Sports Champions" in New Zealand, whilst just one month later, two more sets appeared, "Cricket, Tennis and Golf Celebrities" and "Speed-Land, Sea and Air".
Definitely a lot of issuing going on at that time, so why take more time to make a whole new set for just one region? Anyone know?