REGINALD FORESTER-SMITH OF ANNAN LEAVES OVER £400,000 TO GUIDES

On 12 April 2010, news emerged that Reginald Forester-Smith, a former society photographer from Brydekirk near Annan, who was convicted of sexually abusing three young girls, left more than £400,000 in his will to the Girl Guides. Forester-Smith, who was sentenced to eight years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh in 1999, died last year. His will included a generous bequest to the Guides, made in memory of the work of his late wife, Sheena Forester-Smith.

Girlguiding Scotland stated that they are aware of the legacy but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal and administrative process. Forester-Smith was found guilty of abusing girls at various locations, including addresses in Edinburgh, West Calder, the Borders, and at Luce House in Brydekirk. During his abuse, he took indecent photographs of two of his victims.

The offences took place between 1967 and 1985. Of the victims, two girls were aged five and six when the abuse occurred, and another girl, who was nine at the start of the abuse, was also raped.

Forester-Smith’s daughter, Tori Dante, chose to waive her right to remain anonymous when she published a book in 2002 detailing the abuse she endured at her father’s hands.

In his estate, Forester-Smith left over £1 million to various charities, including £312,291 each to Cancer Research UK and the Macmillan Nurses Cancer Association. His largest donation was to the Girl Guide and Scouting Association of Dumfriesshire, in “celebration of the life” of his wife.

A Girlguiding Scotland spokesperson remarked: “We are aware of the legacy left to Guiding, in memory of Mrs. Forester-Smith. The matter is currently in the hands of the executors going through the legal administrative process, and as such it would be inappropriate for us to comment.”