Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

This is a community website about Chandler’s Ford, but today we’re going to touch upon the war, knitted scarves, Clementine Churchill, and the Russians – all in this short article. So please read on.

Last week we published an article about Audrey Steele, who at the age of 90 has recently been awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh.

Eastleigh Borough Council recognised Audrey’s excellent community work, and her contribution for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil.

Today I met Audrey again, and she showed me a handwritten letter sent to her in June 1942 by Clementine Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill, a cross-bench life peeress in her own right. Clementine Churchill was described as “a keen promoter of social and humanitarian causes” in this National Trust article by Eamonn Gearon.

Why did Clementine Churchill send Audrey Steele this ‘thank you’ letter? The letter was dated June 1942, sent from 10 Downing Street, Whitehall.

Audrey told me during the war she knitted scarves and mittens for the North Sea convoy.

Here is the 2-page A5 sized letter from Clementine Churchill:

June 1942

Dear Audrey,

Thank you very much for your gift which I have just received.

I am most grateful to you for the trouble you have taken to help the brave Russians in their terrible struggle and in the glorious defence of their country.

Your sincere friend,

Clementine Churchill

Audrey told me that she used to hang this framed letter on the wall, but the frame has fallen apart. She now keeps this letter safe in an envelope.

This letter 77 years ago is so precious and no wonder Audrey is so proud of receiving this recognition from Clementine Churchill.

Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour