KEYS AUCTIONEERS TO SELL WINSTON CHURCHILL CIGAR STUB

A HALF-SMOKED CIGAR STUBBED OUT BY SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR IS EXPECTED TO FETCH £300 AT AUCTION. THE 4 INCH LONG STUB WAS LEFT BY THE PRIME MINISTER BEFORE HE DASHED OFF FOR A CABINET MEETING ON 22.AUGUST.1941, THE DAY GERMAN TROOPS REACHED LENINGRAD. WHITEHALL VALET NELLIE GOBLE FOUND IT WHEN CLEANING AND SENT IT TO A FRIEND, WITH A NOTE ON N0.10 PAPER READING: 'JUST A SMALL SOUVENIR TO REMIND YOU AT SOME FUTURE DATE OF ONE OF THE GREATEST MEN THAT EVER LIVED IN ENGLAND.' THE FRIEND GAVE IT TO HIS DAUGHTER, NOW A PENSIONER, WHO KEPT IT AT HER HOME IN NORFOLK AND IS NOW SELLING IT. SHE SAID: 'IT RARELY CAME OUT OF THE DRAWER, SO IT SEEMED BETTER TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE WHO WILL TRULY APPRECIATE IT.' ANDREW BULLOCK, FROM AUCTIONEERS KEYS IN AYLSHAM, SAID: 'IT WAS RARE FOR CHURCHILL NOT TO FINISH HIS CIGAR, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING VERY URGENT IN THE CABINET ROOM.'