MONTGOMERY, Bernard (1887–1976), Autograph Letter Signed “Montgomery of Alamein”, to John, Isington, Hampshire, 15 December 1956. 1 p. 4to.

A fine post-Suez letter in which Field Marshal Montgomery thanks his correspondent for the Christmas parcels and offers a strikingly candid assessment of contemporary events. After acknowledging the arrival of the gifts, Montgomery turns abruptly to the geopolitical situation, remarking that Europe has been through “a trying time” and adding, with characteristic bluntness, that in all his experience he had “never known anything so bungled as the Suez Canal affair.”

He closes with warm personal wishes for the coming year and notes his intention to be in New York in May, hoping for a meeting to be arranged through Bill Griffin.

"My dear John
I have begun to receive Christmas gift parcels from you. Tevo have arrived already. You really are most [?] to send me these each year, and I am deeply grateful. Will you tell James Keillor that they are arriving, as his name is on the parcels.
We have been having a trying time in Europe. In all my experience I have never known anything so bungled as the Suez Canal affair.
My very best wishes to you and your wife. I will be in New York in May next and will ask Bill Griffin to fix that we meet.
yours always
Montgomery of Alamein."