John Jock Colville Winston Churchill WW2 War Diaries To Doctor Hand Signed Letter

CHAU3349  Antique 1948 letter on Buckingham Palace headed paper hand written by John Colville CB CVO (28 January 1915 19 November 1987) who was a British civil servant. He is best known for his diaries, which provide an intimate view of number 10 Downing Street during the wartime Premiership of Winston Churchill. (please see full notes below) . This letter hand written and signed by John Colville was sent to Dr Elston Grey Turner a historic wartime doctor who was awarded the Military Cross which this forms part of his private estate collection.  It is hand dated 15th August 1948 and bar very small places it is in near mint condition (ex minus to ex grading).  

John Colville's diaries record many conversations between Churchill and his political and military colleagues, as well as his private thoughts. They illustrate the contrast between the "atmosphere of rush" about Churchill, as compared with the shorter hours and reduced energy levels associated with his older predecessor Neville Chamberlain, whom Colville had also served. Comments in the diaries show how, even when beset by disasters in the early days of his premiership, Churchill was still able to raise the spirits of those around him, with his sense of purpose and his sense of humour. They reveal that much of Churchill's correspondence (although none of his speeches) was drafted by Colville and others in their imitations of Churchill's distinctive style, albeit subject to his approval. The diaries also cover Churchill's peacetime premiership and his regularly deferred retirement, and note that, when Churchill did finally retire, Colville found him sitting on his bed at 10 Downing Street saying (of his successor, Anthony Eden) "I don't think Anthony can do it!".

This came from the private collection from the estate of Doctor Elston Grey-Turner CBE MC TD (16 August 1916 20 January 1984) who was a British medical doctor who served in World War II and was on the staff of the British Medical Association for many years. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served as regimental medical officer to the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards 19421945. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration, and also the Military Cross.