Rocky beginnings

It is well known that Roosevelt and Churchill formed a close friendship over the course of the Second World War, as both their countries fought for freedom. You may be surprised then to learn that their relationship did not get off to a good start.

The pair first met at a formal dinner party in honour of the British war ministers in London way back in 1918. At this point Churchill was Minister of Munitions whilst Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The dinner stayed in Roosevelt’s mind for years to come; for 21 years later he wrote in a letter that Churchill ‘acted like a stinker…lording it all over us’ that evening.

A close friendship

What made the friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill so special was that they not only shared a single mission, to bring about ally victory in war, but they shared a true fondness for each other. Between September 1939 and April 1945, the two had written and shared nearly two thousand letters and spent over 130 days in each other’s company.

The reverse side of the medallion shows a replica of Longfellow’s ‘Ship of State’ – National Trust/John Hammond

The famous duo once took time out of a vital summit meeting to visit Morroco under Churchill’s insistence that Roosevelt should see what he described as one of the nicest places on earth. They even celebrated Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s together.

On November 7 1944 Roosevelt was elected for an unprecedented fourth term in office. His fourth inauguration ceremony took place on 20 January 1945. He died just three months later. To this day he remains the only president to be elected for more than two terms in office.