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Clementine Churchill loved caricature of Prime Minster husband as a rotund smoker, note reveals

Clementine Churchill thought a caricature of her husband Winston showing him as fat, bald and sporting a giant cigar was ''amusing and brilliant', a note has revealed, after the image seen for the first time in 79 years.

The wife of the wartime leader was commended during the conflict for her charity work, and in 1942 launched an auction to raise money for Britain's ally the Soviet Union.

John Gilroy, noted for designing Guinness adverts, donated a caricature for the auction depicting the Prime Minister with a cigar, paunch, and bags drooping under his eyes.

Watch: Angelina Jolie sells Sir Winston Churchill painting for over £8 million at auction

The picture was sent to a delighted Mrs Churchill, who enjoyed a 57-year marriage to the politician, via a “Mr Love”.

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She wrote in reply: “Thank you so much for sending me the amusing, indeed brilliant, caricature of my husband.

The image was created by artist John Gilroy
The image was created by artist John Gilroy

“It is very kind of Mr Gilroy to give it to be auctioned.

“I am so grateful for this help, and I hope the caricature may fetch a good price.”

The image was auctioned off for an unknown price at part of the “Grand Magical Entertainment" planned by Mrs Churchill as to aid the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund, for which she received a the Order of the Red Banner of

Labour from Joseph Stalin

The piece went to a serviceman who was in the UK on leave, then handed down by his family, and will be seen in public for the first time in 79 years when it is auctioned by Sotheby’s on March 9.

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