Today, 20th January back in 1936 saw the death of King George V and the succession of his son, Edward VIII.
Back in the day, the morning newspapers were more important than the evening editions and so the King’s death at 11:55 that night was rather convenient in that the announcement would make the following morning editions. However, this convenience was somewhat manufactured as the King did not just die of chronic bronchitis but was helped along rather.
The King’s physician was Bertrand Dawson and, following his death on 7th March 1945, his diaries were discovered and the entry for the day of the King’s death included: I decided to determine the end and injected morphia gr.3/4 and shortly afterwards cocaine gr.1 into the distended jugular vein...In about 1/4 an hour - breathing quieter - appearance more placid - physical struggle gone.
The diaries were finally made public in 1986.
Back in the day, the morning newspapers were more important than the evening editions and so the King’s death at 11:55 that night was rather convenient in that the announcement would make the following morning editions. However, this convenience was somewhat manufactured as the King did not just die of chronic bronchitis but was helped along rather.
The King’s physician was Bertrand Dawson and, following his death on 7th March 1945, his diaries were discovered and the entry for the day of the King’s death included: I decided to determine the end and injected morphia gr.3/4 and shortly afterwards cocaine gr.1 into the distended jugular vein...In about 1/4 an hour - breathing quieter - appearance more placid - physical struggle gone.
The diaries were finally made public in 1986.
