The Churchill Series – Feb. 14, 2007

(One of a series of weekday posts on the life of Winston S. Churchill.)

It's short and fun today.

At item from the Feb. 2, 1948 edition of TIME magazine:

Labor M.P. Emrys Hughes, having heard certain disquieting rumors, had a question to ask of His Majesty's Government in the House of Commons last week. Was it true, he wanted to know, that shortly before New Year's Eve, 1947, two crates containing 24 bottles of whiskey had been flown from Scotland to ailing, vacationing Winston Churchill in North Africa?

"Such shipments were not specially specified in the records," answered Board of Trade President Harold Wilson.

The House laughed good-naturedly. But the answer did not completely satisfy another honorable gentleman. "If there are any of the bottles left over," cried Communist Willie Gallacher, "will the Board President see that they are passed on to the miners in my constituency?"

TIME went on to give an update:

It was unlikely that any bottles were left over. Winnie was back home, in fighting trim, and as much of a wassailer and a statesman as ever.

Have a nice day.