The daily routine

Churchill's desk in his office-bedroom, with the BBC microphones for his world broadcasts.

Churchill would regularly wake at about 8.30am, have a cigar in bed and then hold court sitting propped up in bed. He would read all the major daily newspapers, study the papers in his Prime Ministerial box, give dictation to his secretaries and hold discussions with senior military advisors such as Sir Hastings Ismay and General Alan Brooke.

Meal times were seldom changed and both lunch and dinner would routinely be accompanied by champagne. A mid-afternoon nap, followed by a bath were part of his daily regime, and undoubtedly gave Churchill his legendary ability to work until 3 or 4am, totally oblivious to the hunger or fatigue of those around him. He would often hold meetings at midnight and was in the habit of venturing up on to the roof of what is now the Treasury building to watch the enemy bombers attacking London.