Liberal Party Publications
Serious political issues were richly reflected in Churchill’s speeches supporting the agenda of the Liberal Party, many published versions of which are included in the Graham Library鈥檚 Churchill Collections. Of importance for scholars using this collection are bound volumes that include not only Churchill’s, but other party members’ speeches of the time.
Minutes of Proceedings before the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, 6 parts (7 – 21 October 1919)
An important source for understanding Churchill’s key role in the development of tank warfare while he was First Lord of the Admiralty. Printed in the document is Churchill鈥檚 letter to Prime Minister Asquith, written on 5 January 1915. The document includes extensive cross-examination of Churchill by members of the Commission, as well as references to him during all six days of the proceedings.
Presentations of the “Freedom of the City” and Other Honours
鈥嬧�婥eremonial programmes or other memorabilia associated with Churchill’s acceptance of the Honorary Freedom of the City from many British and European cities are included in the Library鈥檚 collections. Included in those items are a postcard picturing the official presentation document from the city of Luxembourg, the menu from a celebratory luncheon in Portsmouth, as well as the elaborate Westminster order of proceedings. Of particular interest are records of Canada’s tribute at a dinner at the Canadian Club on the eve of Churchill’s聽80th聽birthday聽[]. Included with the commemorative menu and booklet from the dinner is a letter from Winston Churchill, thanking the club for the painting of the St. Lawrence River that they sent him as a birthday present.
The Collection also includes 聽records of his being made an honorary American Indian in recognition of his mother’s Iroquois ancestry (prior to becoming an honorary citizen of the United States), and of his honorary degrees from Harvard and Columbia Universities聽[].
Letters & Facsimiles
Three Churchill letters were acquired from the Watt collection. The earliest appears to have been sent to “G.S.”, who has been tentatively identified as George Warrington Steevens (1869-1900), a foreign correspondent for the聽Daily Mail聽who died of enteric fever at Ladysmith during the siege. Churchill returns a proof, with “compliments on the style” and gratitude for the “friendly tone”, and recommends that the recipient “stick to practical politics”: he advises, “You will not be able to create a new world; but you might easily improve the conditions of these islands.”
In another letter dated 8 May 1944, Churchill dismisses Lord Noel-Buxton’s petition pressing the case for a negotiated peace: “Your letter gives me the impression that you have not the slightest conception of the perils which lie ahead before we can establish a world peace order.” The third letter, written on Churchill’s behalf, requests permission from Cassell publishers to reprint excerpts from Churchill’s speeches in propaganda leaflets for dissemination by air over France. This letter is singularly interesting and valuable here because of its relevance to a substantial collection of such leaflets given by F. Bartlett Watt to the Library several years ago.
Memorabilia Collected by Winston Churchill鈥檚 Former Bodyguard Walter H. 鈥淭ommy鈥� Thompson
During his time working as Churchill鈥檚 bodyguard, Walter H. 鈥淭ommy鈥� Thompson collected various mementos. The collection includes staff passes, dinner menus, permits, letters and photographs. Of special interest are items related to Churchill鈥檚 visits to Canada, including mementos from a tribute to Churchill at the Canadian Club in honour of his 80th birthday.