Letter from Winston Churchill

Our current archive work has led to us making some exciting discoveries, as evidenced by this letter from Winston Churchill, dated 13 July 1945 and addressed to Mr Ginestet, the owner of the estate at the time:

 

My dear Sir,

You were kind enough to send General Brutinel a quantity of the finest wine, including some Margaux 1900 for my enjoyment during my visit to Bordaberry.

I take this opportunity of sending you my warm thanks for this courtesy on your part and of saying how delectable I here found the wines which you as thoughtfully provided.  

Yours very sincerely, 

Winston Churchill

 

Raymond Brutinel (1882-1964), a Canadian general who was born in France, is best known for commanding the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade during the First World War. The Château de Bordaberry is in Hendaye on the coast of the French Basque Country and belonged to General Brutinel. Winston Churchill stayed in this Château from 7 to 15 July in 1945, at the invitation of his friend General Brutinel. This letter was sent between the British general elections on 5 July and the Potsdam conference on 17 July, which were to decide the fate of the Allies’ enemy nations.

We want to thank our intern Sylvain Muchada for his help in writing this chronicle.