The Dennis Wheatley 'Museum' - Dennis Wheatley in World War II: a supplement

Wingate (and Wheatley) miss out on a whisky-and-soda with Churchill …

DW’s account of the incident

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… and Wingate’s

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Both DW and Wingate told the story of how they missed out on a whisky and soda with Winston Churchill.

According to DW, whose account is the longer, coming back from a lunch somewhat the worse for wear, he found a nervous Peteval in the office. Churchill had asked to consult Bevan on something, but Bevan was away and no-one else was around.

Seeing how nervous Peteval was, and despite his own inebriated state, DW offered to go up and see the great man. Fortunately for him, a sober Wingate met him on the stairs, and took over.

Both went on to recount how, when he saw Churchill, Wingate was asked whether a certain matter was feasible; and while he was thinking it over, Churchill and the Chiefs of Staff et al. went on drinking their whiskies and sodas. Wingate recalled ruefully that he was never offered one.

To read the story in Wheatley’s word click here, and to read it in Wingate’s words click here.