Sir Piers Legh (1890-1955)

He was the second son of the 2nd Baron Newton and was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. In 1910, he was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards and he was aide-de-camp to the Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of Canada, from 1914-15 before leaving to fight in France. He was twice mentioned in despatches. In 1919, he became Equerry to the Prince of Wales (the Duke of Windsor) and remained in his service for nearly eighteen years, including his coronation and abdication. Directly after the Duke delivered his farewell broadcast, he left for Villa Lou Viei accompanied only by "his faithful equerry" (Legh), a private detective, and his valet. In 1937, he became Equerry to the Duke's brother, King George VI, and was later appointed Master of the King's Household. He was Master of Queen Elizabeth II's Household for one year, before retiring in 1953. He married Sarah Polk Bradford, daughter of Judge Bradford of Nashville, Tennessee, and a descendant of Col. William Polk who was a first cousin of U.S. President James K. Polk. She was the widow of Captain the Hon. Fred Shaughnessy, of Montreal, by whom she had three children. They had 1-daughter, Diana.