Sir Winston Churchill builds a garden wall. — International Churchill Society
“While my father was constructing the red brick walls which now surround the garden, he had the delightful idea of building a little cottage in the line of the wall for Sarah and me; it was meant for us both, but Sarah, who had started boarding school in 1927, outgrew its pleasures fairly soon, and this charming dwelling became known as the Marycot.” — Mary Churchill Soames
Prior to his leadership as Prime Minister during the Battle of Britain, Sir Winston Churchill served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. Baldwin saw that the pressures of government service were weighing on Churchill and suggested a sabbatical at the estate of Chartwell.
“Do remember what I said about resting from current problems. Paint, write, play with your dams (water features of the estate). But a big year will soon begin and much depends on your keeping fit.” — Stanley Baldwin
So Churchill continued to work several hours a day on government finances, but set them aside to engage in recreation. He most enjoyed working with his daughters, who helped build the little house; six year old Mary in particular.
He wrote to his wife, who was traveling with Sarah, the older daughter: “Mary’s house is growing and I hope to have a treat for you when you come… Mary has taken the greatest interest in the work and has laid the foundation stone with great ceremony.”
Churchill was indeed invited to join the bricklayers’ union by James Lane, of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers, who wrote “If you are desirous of continuing at bricklaying it is respectfully suggested you become a member of this society.” This after a 1928 photo appeared in the press of the great man building a wall.
Sir Winston Churchill with two year old Mary.
The “Marycot” at Chartwell.
Inside the “Marycot.” — Photo by Jack Smith
My Children’s Playhouse [click to read]