Museum to shine a light on the ‘guardian shadow’ of the King

KIRRIEMUIR: Gateway to the Glens Museum will show an insight into the man who was bodyguard to the disgraced royal

He was the Angus police officer who was the “guardian shadow” of the scandalhit King who signed away the crown. Superintendent David Storrier spent 18 years as police bodyguard to King Edward VIII who abdicated in 1936 after being refused permission to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. During the anxious days before the abdication, Mr Storrier remained with the King at Fort Belvedere and went with him when he left England with his lover, after which he became the Duke of Windsor. Mr Storrier became the only official link between the Duke and his former kingdom following his abdication. The Duke visited Germany in 1937, where the couple were charmed by Hitler, with hospitality usually only afforded to a monarch and his consort. Several historians have speculated that if Germany had invaded Britain they would have used the Duke as a puppet monarch, restoring him to the throne he had been forced to give up. The Gateway to the Glens Museum in Kirriemuir has now been given an insight into Mr Storrier’s life. Mr Storrier was one of two brothers who were born at Burnside of Ballintore, Lintrathen, and schooled at Webster’s Seminary, Kirriemuir, in the late 19th Century. Both brothers left Angus to enter the police service shortly before the outbreak of the First World War. Elder brother James rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Constable of Glasgow. Mr Storrier was police bodyguard to the Duke, as Prince of Wales, and later King. He eventually returned to London following his 18 years as bodyguard to take up administrative duties at Scotland Yard. Mr Storrier retired aged 55 after 33 years service in the force. He was awarded the MBE in 1944. Museum officer Rachel Jackson and archivist Craig Pearson welcomed elder brother James’ granddaughter Irene Wright to the Gateway to the Glens on Thursday. Rachel Jackson said: “The donation includes personal letters from Buckingham Palace and following Edward’s exile to France with Wallis Simpson, one expressing how sad they were to learn of David Storrier’s death in 1969, stating he was ‘our most loyal efficient and devoted bodyguard who we held in the highest esteem.’ “Featured items include an oil painting of Assistant Chief Constable Storrier wearing First World War medals.”

“The donation includes personal letters from Buckingham Palace... RACHEL JACKSON

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Irene Wright at the Gateway To The Glens Museum with an MBE and photo of David and James Storrier, along with other objects that she donated to the museum.