A typed letter signed by Winston S. Churchill, dated 7 June 1947, recounting his reception in Paris following the award of the Médaille militaire.
“CHURCHILL DOESN’T NEED A GUARD — HE IS AT HOME”
A charming and evocative post-war letter in which Churchill recalls the warmth of his reception in Paris after being honored by the French government. He had traveled to the French capital in May 1947 to receive the Médaille militaire, one of France’s highest military distinctions, awarded by Paul Ramadier in recognition of his wartime leadership.
Writing to Mrs. Oliver, Churchill expresses his appreciation for her account of a remark made by a French gendarme during the visit:
“I have received with much pleasure your letter of June 3 and am complimented by your kindness in telling me of the friendly remark of the gendarme during my recent visit to Paris.”
He then adds a delightful anecdotal note, recording the exchange directly:
“I had said to the gendarme, seeing a number of them in the street, Est-ce que l’on monte sa garde pour M. Churchill?
The gendarme replied; “Oh, Churchill n’a pas besoin de garde, il est chez lui!”
The remark—“Churchill does not need a guard, he is at home”—beautifully encapsulates the admiration and affection with which Churchill was regarded in France in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.
Churchill also asks that his thanks be conveyed to Henry Oliver, reflecting his continued connections with senior naval figures and long-standing personal relationships.
The recipient, Torfrida Lois Acantha Oliver, was the wife of Vice-Admiral Robert Don Oliver, linking the correspondence to Churchill’s wider naval and political circle. Letters of this period, combining official honor with personal anecdote, offer a particularly appealing insight into Churchill’s post-war stature and character.
Single sheet on printed Chartwell letterhead overtyped with Churchill’s London address “28 Hyde Park Gate, London S.W.7,” typed on one side and signed “Winston S. Churchill,” with additional typed anecdotal note.
Hole-punched upper left; light toning; signature slightly smudged; overall in very good condition.
Provenance
Sotheby’s, London, 8 November 1983, lot 369.
A typed letter signed by Winston S. Churchill, dated 7 June 1947, recounting his reception in Paris following the award of the Médaille militaire.
“CHURCHILL DOESN’T NEED A GUARD — HE IS AT HOME”
A charming and evocative post-war letter in which Churchill recalls the warmth of his reception in Paris after being honored by the French government. He had traveled to the French capital in May 1947 to receive the Médaille militaire, one of France’s highest military distinctions, awarded by Paul Ramadier in recognition of his wartime leadership.
Writing to Mrs. Oliver, Churchill expresses his appreciation for her account of a remark made by a French gendarme during the visit:
“I have received with much pleasure your letter of June 3 and am complimented by your kindness in telling me of the friendly remark of the gendarme during my recent visit to Paris.”
He then adds a delightful anecdotal note, recording the exchange directly:
“I had said to the gendarme, seeing a number of them in the street, Est-ce que l’on monte sa garde pour M. Churchill?
The gendarme replied; “Oh, Churchill n’a pas besoin de garde, il est chez lui!”
The remark—“Churchill does not need a guard, he is at home”—beautifully encapsulates the admiration and affection with which Churchill was regarded in France in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.
Churchill also asks that his thanks be conveyed to Henry Oliver, reflecting his continued connections with senior naval figures and long-standing personal relationships.
The recipient, Torfrida Lois Acantha Oliver, was the wife of Vice-Admiral Robert Don Oliver, linking the correspondence to Churchill’s wider naval and political circle. Letters of this period, combining official honor with personal anecdote, offer a particularly appealing insight into Churchill’s post-war stature and character.
Single sheet on printed Chartwell letterhead overtyped with Churchill’s London address “28 Hyde Park Gate, London S.W.7,” typed on one side and signed “Winston S. Churchill,” with additional typed anecdotal note.
Hole-punched upper left; light toning; signature slightly smudged; overall in very good condition.
Provenance
Sotheby’s, London, 8 November 1983, lot 369.
Image 1 of 1