Home

FAQ

Historical

Modern

Fantasy/SciFi

Humour

The Big Gob

Artwork

Shows

Links

Guestbook

Email the Commander

Winstons Words (Part 1)

Paul Hooper

I have just picked up a a book called 'The Irrepressible Churchill' compiled by Kay Halle who was his secretary during most of the war. It's a compilation of Churchills words and sayings and is what I call a loo book which can be dipped into. Although it covers the more famous sayings, including the exchanges with Nancy Astor, * it does include many more obscure comments made during a long life.
So I thought I would share a few of the more choice war time sayings with you.

During a visit to Canterbury during the Blitz, Churchill met Archbishop Lang whom he disliked because of Lang's stance during the abdication crisis. Asking what precautions the Archbishop had taken against air attack Lang replied he would seek shelter in a public shelter.
W.S.C.: But an ordinary shelter is by no means adequate in your case. You owe it to the Established church to take refuge in the Cathedral Crypt. There you will be quite safe. Unless of course there was a direct hit. Then I fear, my Lord Primate, you would have to regard that as a summons from on high!

After an inspection, Churchill and Montgomery dined at a hotel in Brighton, Churchill offered Monty a drink but he refused and asked for water.
Monty: I neither drink nor smoke and I'm 100% fit.
W.S.C.: I both drink and smoke and I'm 200% fit.

At the climax of the Battle of Britain Churchill had been awake for 24 hours along with many of the Spitfire pilots
W.S.C.: There is such a thing as sheer exhaustion, both of the spirit and the animal. I thought of Wellington's mood in the afternoon of the Battle of Waterloo: 'Would God, that night or Blucher would come.' This time we do not want Blucher.

Churchill went to Harrow School as a boy, and was invited to present the prizes at the School on 18th December 1940. He attended and gave a speech.
W.S.C.: Hitler in one of his recent discourses declared that the fight was between those who had been through the Adolf Hitler Schools and those who had been to Eton. Hitler has forgotten Harrow.

On the eve of Hitler's attack on Russia, Churchill was asked how as a longtime anticommunist he would address the House of Commons.
W.S.C.: I have only one purpose, the destruction of Hitler, and my life is simplified thereby. If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable mention of the Devil in the House of Commons.

Churchill was due to go to Broadcasting House to do a broadcast to troops in the 8th Army. His official car broke down and he went by cab. He then asked for the cab to wait for 20 minutes to take him back to Downing Street.
Cab Driver: Sorry, Guv'nor, but I must hurry home to the Missus, we want to hear the Prime Minister's broadcast.
The Cab fare was three shillings, Churchill handed the cab driver £1 and told him to keep the change.
Cab Driver: To hell with Prime Minster! I'll wait.

On 28th August 1941 Churchill had a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchquer
W.S.C.: How much gold have we actually got left in this island…….? Don't be alarmed: I am not going to ask you to produce it.

More soon

* If you don't know about the exchanges between Nancy and Winston then corner me in the bar and I will recite them for you.