Hyde Park on Hudson (Series No. 5): The first date of FDR and Churchill at Newfoundland

One may not see the scenes (in the movie) of the “first date” of FDR and Churchill in Newfoundland in August 1941, nearly 4 months before the Pearl Harbor.  But, it should be in it for not only is it historically important, but also reveals Daisy is indeed a close confidante of FDR.

The U.S. was still a neutral, non-belligerent country at the time of this ‘date’.  FDR went to sea fishing (as far as the press was concerned) in S.S. Augusta, escorted by many destroyers.  He didn’t even tell his Secretary of State or even his wife, Eleanor, that he was going to meet with Churchill.  And yet he wrote a 3 ½ pages letter to Daisy, telling her all the details.

FDR’s letter written on S.S. Augusta (August 5, 1941),

“. . . Even at my ripe old age I feel a thrill in making a get-away — especially from the American press. . . We had a ‘dress rehearsal’ conference including Gen. [George] Marshall, Gen. [Henry] Arnold, Ad. [Harold] Stark, Ad. [Ernest] King.  All set for the Big Day tomorrow.  I wish you could see this scene.  By the way don’t ever given any times or places or names or numbers of ships! . . . “

“Sat. Aug 9 — The huge new H.M.S. Prince of Wales came up . . . Winston Churchill came on board the Augusta at 11, accompanied by . . . Churchill stayed on board & lunched with me alone.  He is a tremendously vital person & in many ways is an English Mayor [Fiorello] LaGuardia! [the short, chesty, voluble chief executive of New York City].  Don’t say I said so! I like him — & lunching alone broke the ice both ways.”

“Sun. August 10 — This A.M. at 10:30 I crossed to the deck of the destroyer, went alongside the Prince of Wales, was received with ‘honors’, . . . & then the service was held — 300 men from our ships had come over for it — A British & an American chaplain did the prayers, Capt Leach [of the Prince of Wales] read the lesson — and then we were all photographed — front, sides & rear!  Next I inspected the P. of W. in my chair, then sherry in the Ward Room & then a ‘beautiful’ lunch of about 40 — Toasts followed by two speeches.”

 It was said that during the service Churchill was weeping and took a handkerchief from his pocket when they were singing the hymn of “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (Onward, Christian Soldiers, marching as to war, / With the cross of Jesus going on before. . . .) The other hymns sung were “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and the Navy hymn “For Those in Peril on the Sea”.  

“Every word seemed to stir the heart,” Churchill wrote later, “and none who took part in it will forget the spectacle presented.  It was a great hour to live.”

Most of those singing and praying with Roosevelt and Churchill would have only 3 months to live.  When the First Sea Lord called Churchill notifying him that both the Prince of Wales and the Repulse have been sunk by the Japanese on their way to Singapore (shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack).  Churchill wrote, “I was thankful to be alone.  In all the war I never received a more direct shock.”

After the sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse and the fall of Singapore, FDR wrote to Churchill (2/18/1942), “I want you to know that I think of you often and I know you will not hesitate to ask me if there is anything you think I can do. . . (the letter ended with) “Do let me hear from you.”

 When FDR and Churchill first met at S.S. Augusta, “At last we have gotten together,” said Roosevelt.

“We have,” Churchill replied as they shook hands.  It was FDR’s idea that they met this time.  If you know who were in the meeting you would appreciate the importance of this meeting.  Harry Hopkins and Lord William Beaverbrook [British minister of supply] were also there.

At the end of the meeting the Atlantic Charter was announced to the world.  Almost the whole world was kept in the dark until then, but not Daisy.