On 27 November 1943, Guy Liddell, a senior MI5 officer recorded a story about Winston Churchill.
'I heard today a rather good P.M. story which I am told is absolutely true but not for repetition. A propos of Eden's visit to Mid East he said "The Foreign Secretary has asked me what he is to say to Turkey. I am of the opinion that he should remind Turkey that Xmas is coming". He longed to send this message but refrained from doing so as he thought that Eden might take him literally.'
(Source TNA KV4/192)
