Offered here is a typed letter from Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill wrote this letter on Chartwell headed paper bearing the Joynson’s manufacturer's watermark and signed 'W'. This letter was dated “April 28 1947.” and was a hostile response to a previous handwritten letter from Bernard Montgomery (signed “Montgomery of Alamein”) that is included in this lot, and was addressed to “The Rt. Hon. Sir John Anderson, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Port of London Authority, London, E.C.3. Anderson passed the handwritten letter onto Churchill.

Churchill’s letter reads “My dear John, Thank you for sending me Montgomery's letter. I think he would do much better to keep clear of politics, of which he knows little and do his duty as a faithful adviser of Government. We do not require to be lectured by him, especially when so much of his recent conduct is unexplained            

I have, as you may have heard, carried the Conservative 1922 Committee to the support of the advice which I gave to our Shadow Cabinet. It really might be wise for you to hint to Montgomery that he had much better mind his own business and leave politicians to mind theirs. Reading it again, I think his letter most impudent. Thank you for showing it to me all the same.” The letter was marked 'Private' in black ink at the top and signed 'W', the ink slightly smudged at the bottom. Churchill’s letter measures approximately 7 ½ x 9 ½ inches and has a punched hole on the upper left, along with some edge wear, a crease fold in the center and slight paper loss in the top left corner. The letter displays minor toning, giving it a warm cream-colored look.

The handwritten and original Montgomery letter that bothered  Churchill was written on “War Office, Whitehall, London, S.W.I.” headed paper in blue pen with a handwritten date of “25-4-47” and addressed to John Anderson, complete with postmarked envelope bearing wax seal. Montgomery’s letter reads “My dear Anderson, With reference to our conversation on Wednesday evening. If the National Service Bill gets delayed or hung up, we are completely sunk. Regular recruiting has not yet reached the figure we need, nor is it likely to for some time. From my angle, as a soldier, I consider it is vital to get the Bill through the House quickly, and smoothly. I also consider it is necessary to get it through the House without a lot of argument and trouble: which would impair confidence throughout the nation on the matter. Times are not too good as (end of first side) you know; we must be certain that our Defence services will stand firm and will not be subject to (illegible) by political wrangles. For the good of the show as a whole, we need the Bill on the Statute Book as soon as possible so that we can plan ahead constructively. I do hope that the Conservative Party will lend a hand and will not be too troublesome. I also hope that they will not ask awkward questions about the Chiefs of Staff. Perhaps you could use your influence to help the show. Yrs. Sincerely Montgomery of Alamein”. This letter is in excellent condition with minimal edge wear and a hole punch on the top left. There are three crease folds. These letters are accompanied by individual LOA’s from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A56180 & A56171).

Auction Notepad