Snow in London
John Colville had worked in Downing Street throughout the Blitz, now he left the shattered city behind. The destruction around St Paul's Cathedral caused by air raids on London is softened by a heavy dusting of snow. A mobile crane and truck can be seen at work to clear up some of the debris, January 1942.
John Colville had a First Class Honours Degree from Cambridge and had embarked on a promising career in the Diplomatic Service before being transferred to 10 Downing Street. He had served as Private Secretary to Winston Churchill since he had become Prime Minister in May 1940, becoming intimately aware of the machinations at the heart of government. He had also forged a great friendship with Churchill. His diary provides many insights into the way Churchill worked.