Since 1976 I’ve been a citizen of London.
Lynne Olson, in Citizens of London, writes about “the Americans who stood with Britain in its darkest, finest hour”. Her book shines a new light on the relationship between the British/American allies. It focuses on Ed Murrow, Averell Harriman and Gil Winant, last but not least. Winant is much the most interesting character: American ambassador appointed to Britain by FDR to replace Joe Kennedy, an appeasest, defeatist, boot-legger. Winant has empathy with ordinary people in Britain and one not so ordinary, Winston Churchill’s daughter – Sarah. He had a common touch, addressing a miners’ strike and persuading them to go back to work – frankly unimaginable today. Such an intervention now by an American diplomat would just pour fuel on the fire.
I’m about half way through this fascinating book and it’s a bit depressing – a lot about the misery and deprivation in Britain’s cities in the war. My mother, living in Kent, bred rabbits to eat and later, living in London, preferred a comfy bed to a damp, cold air raid shelter when she was working in a children’s hospital. Being a spoilt brat I never liked rabbit – too many small bones – although when it’s called lapin a la moutarde I can force it down with a glass of Burgundy.
Meanwhile it’s elections a-plenty today. How would you vote? Well perhaps not for the chap who looks like the dictator of an African country with an expensive tailor, or the tousled couple so it comes down to the Clooney look-a-likes or the dog. I think that dog will make a great mayor of London.
A while back Gil Winant was the subject of R4’s ‘ Great Lives’ .
I’d never heard of him, but the programme was a revelation, so much so I found myself googling his name for more information on him. A modest man who seems to have fully understood the meaning of service, unlike some politicians one could mention!
I will try and find the programme. He literally gave up his life in his service to his country, as you know.
Thanks to you I found the programme, “call me Matthew, Matthew”. It is in Series 36 and is very moving, spanning the years between FDR and Winant and Obama and Matthew Barzun. It is a generous, lovely and lachrymose tribute to Gil Winant. It’s interesting that an elderly, alcoholic British Prime Minister outlived FDR, Harry Hopkins and Winant. Many people may not either know or appreciate what a difference those three Americans made to Western Europe in World War II. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say they defeated Hitler.
My mother, born and raised in Mt Bellew, Galway, Ireland, lived in London before and during the war. One evening she went to the theatre to hear Winston Churchill speak. As she listened, mesmerized by the poetic sounds of his words, a member of the audience leaped to his feet and threw a rotten tomato at Churchill, striking his face and soiling his suit. Churchill yelled to his security force to “get that cur” and they escorted him out the exit. Sometimes your worst enemies are among you.