A folder containing the ceremonial details and route maps of Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral is to go up for auction next month.
Operation Hope Not was the codename given to the wartime prime minister's meticulous state funeral plans, which were set in train years before his death by the Duke of Norfolk.
A folder titled Her Majesty's Service was found by the family of a now-dead man who was involved in the funeral arrangements during his police service.
The unnamed man, who retired soon after the funeral was held, rarely discussed with relatives his involvement in one of the biggest state events in modern British history.
Inside the folder left behind following his death were plans on the movements of military and civilian organisations and arrangements for the procession, street lining, minute guns and ceremonial orders, plus maps.
With military precision, the plans swung into action on a grey Saturday morning in January 1965 in front of a worldwide television and radio audience of up to 900 million people.
The plans included a procession through London, a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral, dispatch from the Tower of London by river launch, a military fly-past, construction cranes lining the Thames and a train from Waterloo to Churchill's burial place at Bladon, Oxfordshire.
The ceremonial documents are expected to sell for up to £600 when they are sold at Catherine Southon Auctioneers at Farleigh Court Golf Club in Surrey on February 22.
Meanwhile, a Clarice Cliff Churchill Toby jug dating from around 1940 is also being auctioned for up to £1,000. Only 350 were ever produced, making them one of the most sought-after Churchill Toby jugs.
Catherine Southon said: "It's always particularly exciting when I see items which relate to famous personalities at valuation days.
"Churchill is undoubtedly one of the most important politicians of the 20th century and he had been admired by people around the globe, making his funeral one of the biggest events in post-war history.
"On top of that, Churchill was also a 'local' with Chartwell just down the road. I am very excited to be selling not just one, but two lots related to him in my next auction."
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