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CHURCHILL, Winston S., & Edward VIII as Prince of Wales.
Typed letter signed congratulating James Carter Gray on being awarded the OBE.
Publisher: London: the Ministry of Munitions of War, May 1919
Stock code: 47047
Price: £1,875 Currency Conversion
Churchill's letter explains that he has had the "pleasure in recommending" Gray's appointment to the OBE to the Prime Minister, and is "glad to learn that the King has approved the recommendation. Pray accept my hearty congratulations on this recognition of the valuable services rendered by you to the State." Lloyd George managed to persuade Bonar Law to allow him to install Churchill as Minister of Munitions, a non-Cabinet appointment, in order to forestall his emergence as a new leader of the opposition; "Since his new post was outside the war cabinet, this appeared to meet Bonar Law's demand for the exclusion of Churchill from any part in the conduct of the war. Nevertheless 100 Conservative MPs signed a motion deploring his appointment, and the Conservative press complained loudly. Accompanied by his bust of Napoleon, Churchill moved into the ministry's quarters in the former premises of the Metropole Hotel in Northumberland Avenue. Created by Lloyd George in 1915, it was already in full swing with a staff of 12,000 officials, two and a half million workers employed in its factories, and the output of guns and shells running at record levels… Although Churchill was excluded from the war cabinet, he displayed all the dynamism of a war leader" (ODNB).
Octavo, one page, typed letter signed by Churchill as Minister of Munitions, on stationery embossed with the crest of the Ministry of Munitions, together with the official grant document bearing George V's stamped sign manual and signed in person by Edward, Prince of Wales ("Edward P") as Grand Master, dated 3 June 1918. Letter has light median crease from old fold, mild foxing at the fore-edge, grant document has remains of a mounting stub at the inner edge, slight soiling at the foot.
