Walter H. Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Detective Inspector
Walter H. Thompson
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Walter Thompson next to Winston Churchill testing a Sten Gun, 1941.
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| Born | 3 December 1890 |
| Died | 18 January 1978 (aged 87) |
| Awards | British Empire Medal (1943) |
| Police career | |
| Current status | Retired |
| Department | Metropolitan Police Service |
| Badge number | PC 549 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Rank |
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| Other work | Grocer Writer |
Walter Henry Thompson (3 December 1890 – 18 January 1978) was a British police officer. He is best known as the personal bodyguard for Winston Churchill. Thompson protected Churchill for eighteen years in total. This was between 1921 and 1935, and again from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. Many people say Thompson saved Churchill's life many times. After the war, he wrote a book about his experiences. This book made him famous in the United Kingdom and around the world.
Contents
Walter Thompson's Early Life
Thompson grew up in Brixton, a working-class area in south London. He was one of thirteen children in his family. Before joining the police, he worked several different jobs. He then became a police constable (PC) in Bayswater. His first police station was Paddington Green Police Station.
Joining the Special Branch
When the suffragette movement became very active, the police created a larger Special Branch. This branch deals with national security. Thompson passed the test to join this special unit. He then helped watch the suffragette movement. During this time, he met many leaders who fought for women's rights. Later, he tracked people who were seen as threats to the country. This included anarchists and communists. After this, he moved to the protection team.
Protecting Winston Churchill
Police found out that some groups planned to kidnap important government officials. Because of this, Detective Constable Thompson was chosen to protect Winston Churchill. He worked as Churchill's bodyguard on and off from 1921 until his first retirement in 1935.
Dangers and Dedication
During his time with Churchill, Thompson traveled over 200,000 miles. He is said to have saved Churchill's life about 20 times. Sometimes, Churchill himself put himself in danger. For example, he was exposed to flying metal pieces during the Blitz. Thompson also protected him from plots by groups like the IRA, Indian nationalists, and Nazi agents.
The stress of his job was very high. Thompson even suffered a breakdown because of his duties. He had to take a short break from protecting Churchill. But he recovered quickly and returned to his important work.
Churchill's Kindness
Churchill liked Thompson so much that he showed great kindness. When Thompson's daughter became ill, Churchill arranged for his own doctor to treat her. He also insisted on paying the medical bill himself.
The long hours and time away from his family were tough on Thompson. This led to his first marriage ending in 1929. While waiting during Churchill's long meetings, he became close to Mary Shearburn, Churchill's junior secretary. They later married.
Called Back to Duty
On August 22, 1939, Thompson was working at a grocery shop he owned. He received a telegram calling him back to duty. The message from Churchill said, "Meet me Croydon Airport 4.30 pm Wednesday." Even though Churchill did not have an official government job then, he knew he was at risk. He was a strong voice against giving in to bad people, especially the Nazis. So, he hired Thompson to protect him for £5 a week. On the same day, Thompson officially rejoined Scotland Yard. This happened when Churchill became part of the government again as World War II began.
Thompson was with Churchill so often that Churchill's wife, Clementine, sometimes found it annoying. For his brave service to Churchill and his country, Thompson received the British Empire Medal. This award was given to him by George VI in 1943. Thompson suddenly left his job as Churchill's bodyguard and retired from Scotland Yard in May 1945. This was right after the VE Day celebrations. Churchill was very thankful to Thompson. He gave him a personal check as a reward. He also invited Thompson to visit him "when and wherever I am."
Life After Retirement
In June 1945, Churchill was no longer in office. Thompson was about to retire from the Metropolitan Police for the second time. The police chief and Downing Street decided it was not proper for him to publish his memories right away. They threatened to take away his police pension if he published his book. This was even though he had almost finished a very long manuscript. A shorter version, called I was Churchill's Shadow, was published in the 1950s.
After his book came out, he became quite famous. He went on a book tour across the UK. When the American version of his book was released, he gave over 400 talks with his wife. He also appeared on TV shows like To Tell the Truth. This was an American game show where he won $300.
Thompson passed away from cancer on January 18, 1978. He was 87 years old and died in Yeovil, Somerset.
After Thompson's death, his great-niece, Linda Stoker, found the full, original book manuscript. It was inside a suitcase in a farmhouse attic in Somerset.
In Media
- In 2005, a 13-part TV series was shown on UKTV History. It featured Dennis Waterman reading parts from Thompson's journal. This series was later released on DVD as Churchill's Bodyguard.
Images for kids
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Walter Thompson next to Winston Churchill testing a Sten Gun, 1941.
