Tony Jellings, former NPDG (UK) Trustee and Board member, tells us how Patrick Kinna, MBE, who passed away on March 14th 2009, became involved with the Group and offered his support over many years.

Tony Jellings writes:

Patrick Kinna died on the 14th March at the age of 95.  He was the last living member of Sir Winston Churchill’s war time staff and served him as confidential assistant and shorthand writer. He was a master of his trade and with shorthand speeds of 150 words per minute and the ability to take dictation directly onto his typewriter, he soon became an invaluable member of the Prime Minister’s staff.

 I got to know him thirteen years ago when I was heavily involved as the Group’s  National Fund Raising Co-ordinator  and at a time when Patrick had appeared on several occasions on national TV in connection with the 50th anniversary of the end of World War Two. He was therefore a very recognisable figure.

He lived in Brighton just around the corner from my own home. One day I saw him standing on the sea front promenade looking out to sea. Taking my courage in both hands I approached him, introduced myself and asked him if he ever gave lectures about his war time experiences. Somewhat taken aback he replied that from time to time he did.. I then asked him if he would consider giving a talk to help raise funds for Niemann-Pick. To my great delight he agreed willingly.

It was the beginning of a  long friendship which over a period of years resulted in him giving  a number of lectures throughout Sussex  which raised considerable sums of money  for the Group and which helped to heighten the public profile of the Niemann-Pick disease.  

As an assistant to Churchill, Patrick met most of the key allied leaders including Joseph Stalin and President Roosevelt travelling with the Prime Minister to Moscow, Washington and North Africa. He also famously accompanied Churchill on board the battleship “Prince of Wales” where he typed up the Atlantic Charter, the historical bi-partite declaration of common principles that was to form the basis for peaceful relations in the post war era.  

At the end of the war, Winston Churchill asked Patrick if he would continue to work for him. Patrick declined as he felt in need of some rest and rehabilitation! Some months later he accepted an appointment with the new Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin  and became good friends with him and his wife.

A full page obituary of Patrick appeared in The Times newspaper on the 19th March, to view click here

and gave many  details of  his career. The obituary also made reference to his support for the Niemann-Pick Disease Group (UK). 

Patrick was a real gentleman, honourable, modest and charming. It was a great privilege to have known him.  

Picture shows (from L to R), Patrick Kinna, Winston Churchill, Averill Harriman, Joseph Stalin and Molotov