Walter H. Thompson
Detective Inspector Walter Henry Thompson BEM (3 December 1890 – 18 January 1978) was the bodyguard of Winston Churchill for eighteen years between 1921 and 1945, being recalled from semi-retirement running two grocer's shops by a telegram from Churchill reading "Meet me Croydon Airport 4.30pm Wednesday." Although at that time Churchill had no official position in government, as the leading anti-appeaser he was aware of the prevailing risk to his life from assassins (particularly the Nazis) and engaged Thompson to protect him in the pay of £5 per week (UK£ 230 in 2013). On August 22, 1939 Thompson resumed his official duties with Scotland Yard when Churchill rejoined the Cabinet on the outbreak of war. He was with Churchill so much that he was in "perpetual annoyance" to Churchill's wife, Clementine.
Read more about Walter H. Thompson: Career, Death, In Media, Bibliography
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“With the single exception of Homer, there is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespear when I measure my mind against his.... But I am bound to add that I pity the man who cannot enjoy Shakespear. He has outlasted thousands of abler thinkers, and will outlast a thousand more.”
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