125 Years Ago Summer 1898 • Age 23 “I Shot Five Men for Certain”
In June, Churchill had three months’ leave coming to him. He hoped to go to Egypt, where Lord Kitchener was involved in a campaign against the Dervishes. Unsuccessful at getting the posting, Churchill departed India for England, arriving in London early in July.
Once in London, Churchill sent a manuscript of his novel (tentatively titled but eventually published as) to Pamela Plowden, his first love. Clearly, Churchill trusted her with his innermost thoughts, as he did his mother. He wrote Pamela on 23 July that the novel is “in some respects a mirror of my mind. I do not know if you will care—even from a psychological point of view—to look into that mirror; but if you do I am sure it will gain beauty
