Ruth Barton, who later became Ruth Ferenczy, has sadly passed away. Ruth and her family kindly loaned our ‘War is Over’ Christmas card displayed on the third floor.
Ruth, having left the War Office, was appointed as Harold Wilson’s secretary in March 1967.
Ruth was still in the post in the June of 1969 when President Nixon visited Wilson during the height of the Vietnam War. The Lennons had started their peace movement during their honeymoon in March of 1969 having decided to use their fame and influence to promote peace in the world, and had decided to send a Christmas card to Harold Wilson featuring their famous “War is Over” design, signed by John “with love to the Wilsons from the Lennons”. Harold Wilson had simply written “no” on the card, indicating he wasn’t interested in communicating any further with John.
Despite this, Ruth, a Beatles fan, discovered the card some weeks later when filing some documents and asked her superior if she could have it. It has been in her possession since then.
The card went on display here at the Liverpool Beatles Museum on 21st April 2022, and we are very grateful to her and her family who have given us the opportunity to display such a unique and special item.
Our condolences go to Alex, Seamus and all of Ruth’s family at this sad time.
