Wolseley Archives - Richard M. Langworth

Driving Miss Nancy: Churchill, Wolseley and Lady Astor

10 January 2022 Comments 0 Comments

Churchill opted to drive himself...a bad sign, Thompson said: “It either means that he is cross and subconsciously wants to smash up something, or that he is dangerously elated and things will get smashed up anyhow through careless exuberance.”

Cars & Churchill: Blood, Sweat & Gears (1) Mors the Pity

23 July 2016 Comments 15 Comments

“You fool!” the policeman shouted. Then he “swore most richly for some seconds.” Churchill’s head hung. “He did have the civic sense to say he was sorry,” Thompson continued. “...the matchless voice of the man identified him at once to the constable.” ‘Sorry, Mr. Churchill,’ the policeman apologised. "Then the majesty of the constable’s office and the disgusting guilt of the violator brought forth, in gentle sarcasm, a caution that withered Churchill and kept him silent clear to the Channel. ‘Do try to stay in the road, sir.’”

Churchill as Motorist

2 October 2009 Comments 0 Comments

Could you tell me if Winston Churchill drove an automobile? I’m interested in establishing whether the major World War II leaders, on both sides, could drive a car. So far, I know only that Franklin Roosevelt drove his own Ford at Hyde Park (hand controls but he was his own driver when he needed to be). This may seem an odd line of investigation, but I think it might be illuminating. —P.C., New Hampshire

I have a long-simmering article about Churchill and automobiles; he owned quite an assortment, from Morrises and Land Rovers to a big Daimler given him by his friends in 1932.…