Harold Wilsons’s War is Over card from John and Yoko
Ruth Barton (now Ruth Ferenczy) having left the War Office, was appointed as Harold Wilson’s secretary in March 1967 and her local newspaper the Evening Post celebrated the Basingstoke girl’s success in a news article the following month.
Ruth was still in 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.
Their “War is Over” poster campaign commenced later in December of 1969. Launched in Toronto, the campaign was to display billboard posters in 12 major cities of the world and to give out cards and flyers to promote their message. Lennon, a month previously, had returned his MBE to the Queen citing the famine in Biafra, the War in Vietnam and “ Cold Turkey slipping down the charts” as his reasons.
The card to the Wilsons was delivered in December of 1969. Harold Wilson’s custom was to check the mail and annotate in green ink how he wished his secretary to respond. On this occasion Wilson wrote “No” indicating that he did not wish to reply. This was in stark contrast to his previous attitude to the members of the Beatles as, in common with many politicians of the time, he would not miss an opportunity to be associated with them as this would help maintain his popularity. Wilson even gets a mention from George Harrison in the song “Taxman”.
The Prime Minister often received strange letters from the public and the War is Over card was filed away with these.
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.
At this special “Reveal” event former head of Apple films, CEO of Apple Records and Beatles insider, Tony Bramwell was the guest of honour. Tony introduced the new exhibit and shared exclusive stories with the invited audience about his experiences of working with John and Yoko when he was tasked with launching the campaign.
