Pub landlord selling microphone ‘used by Churchill to announce VE DAY’

The historic microphone used by Winston Churchill as he celebrated victory over Nazi Germany is set to go under the hammer.

The Grampian DPL PA mic was used by the legendary wartime leader during his VE Day appearances on 8 May 1945.

Now, the remarkable piece of history is being sold by Gerry O’Brien, the former landlord of the famous Churchill Arms pub, London.

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A brass plaque attached to the microphone is engraved with the words: ‘The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance. Winston S. Churchill’.

A typed label on the underside states: ‘This microphone was used on the VE Day gathering at Westminster Chapel by Winston S. Churchill after addressing his cabinet’.

It comes with several other items, including a pair of prints showing Churchill delivering his VE Day broadcast, as reported by What’s The Jam.

The microphone has passed through the hands of several collectors since it was first sold at auction in 2005.

George Ridgeon bought it in December 2005.

At the time, it was stated that the microphone had become a showpiece in a restaurant in New Mexico, USA, during the 1950s.

When the restaurant closed, its furnishings and effects were sold off, including the microphone.

O’Brien later bought it at auction in 2024 and has now decided to put it back under the hammer.

He is best known for his 32-year tenure as landlord of the Churchill Arms in Kensington, London, from 1985 until his retirement in 2017.

During his time there, he turned the pub into a London landmark, with its extensive collection of Churchill memorabilia and extravagant floral displays.

The pub became internationally renowned and won a Pub of the Year award in 1999.

It was also frequented by tourists and celebrities, including members of the Churchill family.

Expert Liz Poole said: “Mr O’Brien was a passionate collector of items associated with Churchill over many decades, and has even been the subject of books about his tenure as landlord of the Churchill Arms, one of the UK’s most famous pubs.”

Churchill gave four recorded VE Day speeches on 8 May 1945 and made several public appearances during the day.

Following his victory broadcast to the nation from the Cabinet Room at Downing Street, he travelled to the House of Commons and requested that ‘this house do now attend at the church of St. Margaret, Westminster, to give humble and reverent thanks to almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination’.

It is believed that Churchill used the microphone being auctioned to address the congregation at St Margaret’s Church.

It has an auction estimate of between £10,000 and £12,000.

The Cotswold Auction Company’s auction will take place in Cheltenham, Glos on 22 September.

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