WINSTON’S DEBT
By Graham Bebbington
In the early part of the 20th century, Tom Furnival, a member of his staff, Winston Churchill was often a guest to prepare horses for the following of the Duke and Duchess of morning, and then accompany the Sutherland at Trentham Hall, young politician on a ride in the Stoke-on-Trent. By this time he had countryside. entered politics, having successfully Upon their return to Trentham, contested the seat Winston of Oldham in the dismounted, shook 1900 general hands with Tom election. and commented on
At that time, the how much he had North Staffordshire enjoyed the day Hunt stables and out. Churchill also kennels were remarked that he housed on the didn’t carry money Trentham Estate. with him, but on Churchill himself his return to was a fine London he would horseman, and send Tom a gold earlier, whilst sovereign at his serving in India as first opportunity. a young officer, he To be promised discovered that the such an amount most serious would, at that business of life in time, have been the army there was polo! regarded by someone in Tom’s
On one occasion Churchill arrived position as most generous, and at Trentham to find that the Duke had naturally he was said to have been to leave for London on urgent “very pleased”. However, the unexpected business. Nevertheless, to promise was never fulfilled, and to ensure that his guest was entertained this day the family refer to the in his absence, the Duke instructed matter as “Winston’s debt”!