Guarding the bulldog

Fantastic story about what looks to be a terrific book, the recently unearthed memoir of Winston Churchill's bodyguard. A snippet:

As the entourage moved on by train to Gaza and Jerusalem, Russell Pasha said they were moving "into a climate of unclassifiable fanaticism". Churchill's fanatical love of a hot bath came first. He demanded one as the train swayed slowly through the desert. Thompson unearthed an old hip bath in the baggage car, but could find no water. "You're slipping, Thompson," said Churchill. "I thought you were a man of intelligence." He had Thompson stop the train and climbed down to the track in a brightly coloured dressing gown. The tub was set up in the desert, and the engine driver drew hot water from the boiler. Churchill "smiled up at the engine crew, stripped naked and fitted himself into the bath". When done, he "sauntered, pink and clean" back to his carriage.

Via Patrick Belton.