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Chamberlain, Neville (1869 – 1940)

‘It is a help in these difficult days to know that the action I have taken has been understood and appreciated’

An extraordinary typed letter signed by Neville Chamberlain, 14th May 1940, just four days after his historic resignation as Prime Minister.

He writes to Sir James Marchant, thanking him for his ‘message of sympathy and understanding’, adding, ‘It is a help in these difficult days to know that the action I have taken has been understood and appreciated.’ Letter folds, otherwise in fine condition.

Chamberlain’s resignation on 10th May 1940, which paved the way for Winston Churchill’s leadership, was largely on the back of Britain’s failure to prevent Hitler from occupying Norway. His colleagues turned on him during a debate in the House of Commons on 7th May, and in his resignation speech Chamberlain conceded that to win the war would require a government of national unity that could not be led by him.

Extremely rare and desirable in this format.