The Churchill Series - Mar. 30, 2009

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

The following news story is found in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph under the headlines:

Winston Churchill had whiskey and a cigar with breakfast

Winston Churchill wrote his own breakfast menu which included whiskey and a cigar while on his last flight to the USA as Prime Minister

The story begins - - -

While on the BOAC flight in June 1954 the plane's menu was not good enough for the Prime Minister so he wrote one out himself.

He requested his meal be brought on two trays.

He lists in his own hand: "1st Tray. Poached egg, Toast, Jam, Butter, Coffee and milk, Jug of cold milk, Cold Chicken or Meat.

"2nd Tray. Grapefruit, Sugar Bowl, Glass orange squash (ice), Whisky soda." He then adds: "Wash hands, cigar."

At first he had tried to amend the printed menu, but in the end wrote out his own on the other side.

With his Foreign Secretary Sir Anthony Eden at his side, the visit to the US was made at the height of the Cold War and his last to the US as Prime Minister.

The menu was kept by the air steward and the item is being sold along with press cuttings from the trip.

Richard Westwood-Brookes, who is selling it, said: "This is one of the most remarkable pieces of Churchill memorabilia we have seen.

"It shows what a hearty breakfast he ate and it was all washed down with a whisky, after which he smoked a cigar.

"It is the type of indulgence we've come to associate with Churchill and it reassuring to know he ate so well in his 80th year."

He added: "There are some smudges and ink stains but it is a wonderful piece of history."

The menu is expected to fetch up to 1,500 pounds when it is sold at Mullock's auctioneers in Ludlow Shropshire on St George's Day.