Churchill’s wife’s diplomatic gifts go on display

London: The influence of Clementine Churchill at the side of her husband, Sir Winston, is only now being recognised as vital to the Allied victory in the Second World War.

An exhibition of gifts to the Churchill family on display at their former home in Chartwell, Kent, shows Clementine as central to British diplomatic missions, providing social graces and tactful interventions during those difficult times.

Various presents, sent by politicians, dignitaries and admirers from around the world, confirm how she worked “tirelessly” to keep up with Sir Winston’s engagements. She is praised as being the “real force behind Churchill”.

One gift, a lalique crystal cockerel, was sent personally to Clementine from Charles de Gaulle and is said to be intended as an apology, after she intervened to smooth over his disagreement with her husband.

Other gifts include those thanking her for her role in coordinating aid to Russia, as well as a 19th century cut-glass fruit bowl in the shape of a Viking Long Boat, from Stalin.

The exhibition, which was opened by Sir Winston’s great-grandson Randolph Churchill, includes 30 pieces sent near the end and after the Second World War.

Some of them, such as a drawer of silver cutlery given by the people of Sheffield, are on loan from the family.

Judith Evans, the National Trust’s house and collections manager at the property, said the gifts showed the true extent of Clementine’s influence. “She was an incredible woman,” she said. “She helped maintain difficult relationships and worked quietly behind the scenes for the war effort.

“She made sure they dined with the right people and led by example in keeping domestic life going.”

Explaining the lalique cockerel gift from De Gaulle, she said it was rumoured that the two leaders had an argument over dinner.

“De Gaulle came to Chartwell and used to dine with them,” she said. “Clementine got on very well with him by all accounts.

“On one evening, it is said, there was a disagreement between De Gaulle and Churchill over dinner. Clementine got very cross and felt he should have more respect for her husband. When he went away, he felt very keenly that he had upset her, and the cockerel is supposed to have been sent to appease her.”

The Viking Long Boat glass bowl, with silver mounts, was sent by Stalin after the Moscow Conference in 1944.

A brass brandy glass warmer in the shape of a donkey pulling a cart was a gift from Portugal, while President Roosevelt sent a series of large maps as a Christmas present in 1945 and King Peter II of Yugoslavia gave a silver cigar box made by Asprey of London in 1942.

As well as gifts designed for Sir Winston, such as a cigar box with his portrait and an ivory miniature as a 69th birthday gift from the 3rd Battalion 11th Sikh Regiment at Tehran, the family also received countless parcels of food, thank you cards and several animals.

A menagerie including a lion, a white kangaroo, a platypus and black swans are all recorded as being donated but were not kept at the house.

Jon Primmer, the curator of the exhibition, said: “We wanted to show off the breadth of gifts they received from friends all around the world, from the common man to royalty.

“Every gift was met with thanks. They would make sure everyone who was kind enough to send them things was recognised.”

The exhibition, Gift of Power, is at Chartwell in Westerham, Kent, until February 23, with a children’s trail around the garden highlighting the animals Churchill was offered as gifts.