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Churchill's Bodyguard

Churchill's Bodyguard Poster

Documentary

4.5 / 5

21st November 2005 - 3rd December 2005
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Walter Meets Winston Still
Walter Meets Winston
21st November 2005

Episode 1

In the background of almost every piece of footage of Britain's great wartime leader Winston Churchill, is an anonymous figure: his bodyguard, Detective Inspector Walter Thompson of Scotland Yard. This is the story of how these two very different characters met, and how the poor boy from London's East End saved his boss from an IRA assassination attempt.

Lawrence and Walter Save the Day Still
Lawrence and Walter Save the Day
22nd November 2005

Episode 2

Soon after he became Winston Churchill's personal bodyguard, Walter Thompson was given the challenge of keeping his boss alive during a visit to the Middle East. A leading British politician was a natural target for assassins, and on several critical occasions, Winston was rescued by one of the most enigmatic figures of the 20th Century - Lawrence of Arabia.

Nearly Killed In New York Still
Nearly Killed In New York
23rd November 2005

Episode 3

In 1929, Winston Churchill ceased to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Detective Sergeant Walter Thompson sadly stopped guarding the man he had come to regard as a friend. However, within two years, Winston's outspoken views had gained him fresh and deadly enemies. Walter was recalled, but the next threat to Winston's life came from a totally unexpected direction.

Indian Nationalist Assassin Still
Indian Nationalist Assassin
24th November 2005

Episode 4

Having kept Winston Churchill safe from assassination during his US lecture tour in 1931, Walter Thompson soon left the police force. Out of office and increasingly at odds with his party, it also seemed that Winston's career was at an end. But a new and sinister force, which recognised Winston as its implacable enemy, was rising, and threats to Winston's life brought the two men together again.

Nazi Sniper Plan Still
Nazi Sniper Plan
25th November 2005

Episode 5

During the 1930s, although he was out of office, Winston Churchill's outspoken opposition to Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime made him a marked man. So much so that when war seemed inevitable, French Intelligence got wind of a German plot to assassinate him. Immediately Winston called his former bodyguard ex-Detective Walter Thompson out of retirement to protect him again.

Dangerous Travels Still
Dangerous Travels
26th November 2005

Episode 6

As World War II began, Winston Churchill was brought back into the government after ten years in the wilderness. For his bodyguard Detective-Inspector Walter Thompson it was the beginning of the six most active and nerve-wracking years of his career. Within eight months his boss would be Prime Minister and risking his life on hair-raising trips to try to keep Britain's ally France in the war.

Surviving the Blitz Still
Surviving the Blitz
27th November 2005

Episode 7

By June 1940, Britain was facing Nazi invasion. Prime Minister Winston Churchill's bodyguard Walter Thompson had at least managed to keep him safe during several dangerous trips to France. But the next year was to bring a host of new perils. For as the bombs rained down on, the one person to whose safety Winston gave no thought was himself, and Walter had to cope as best he could.

Attack at the Flying Boat Dock Still
Attack at the Flying Boat Dock
28th November 2005

Episode 8

The entry of the United States into World War II meant an enormous increase in responsibility for Winston Churchill's bodyguard Walter Thompson. For the next three and a half years the two men were to travel almost 200,000 miles visiting the battle fronts and attending high-level conferences. Very soon, Winston was to come within seconds of assassination by a lone gunman.

Winston's Double Still
Winston's Double
29th November 2005

Episode 9

A precarious trip to Moscow to visit Stalin is followed by victory for the 8th Army in North Africa. However, the Germans know that Churchill is travelling and try at least twice to shoot down his plane. His double is not so lucky…

Suicide Attack In Tehran Still
Suicide Attack In Tehran
30th November 2005

Episode 10

Hitler's henchmen have devised a plan to kill Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference. Assassins are parachuted in carrying suicide bombs and it is up to Walter and the intelligence services to protect Winston's life from immediate danger.

The Kiss of Life? Still
The Kiss of Life?
1st December 2005

Episode 11

Winston Churchill returns from Tehran in very poor health. So much so that his doctor expects him to die. Walter's devotion is such that he insists on staying at Winston's side on the crucial night and disaster is averted.

The Sewer Bomb Still
The Sewer Bomb
2nd December 2005

Episode 12

When Winston visits Athens he is supposed to stay at an hotel where Greek guerrillas have placed 1000 lbs of dynamite in a nearby sewer. They shoot at his plane and even fire on HMS Ajax his temporary home in Piraeus harbour.

Love Him to Death Still
Love Him to Death
3rd December 2005

Episode 13

It is VE-Day and Winston and Walter have several journeys to make through the jubilant crowds. Winston wants to walk and at the last minute is pulled on to the roof of his car by Walter who breaks a woman's arm whilst protecting his boss.

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