Winston's wishes: New kitten takes up residence at Churchill's country estate

Jock VI, the new kitten who has taken up residence at Sir Winston Churchill's former country home of Chartwell southern England to honor a request made by the ex-prime minister and his family.

LONDON — There is a new kitten at the Winston Churchill estate.

The orange-colored cat is there to comply with the late British leader’s request that there always be a cat of that color living at Chartwell, his country home.

Churchill also indicated that the cat should have white chest fur, white paws, and be named Jock.

The unusual request stems from the affection Churchill felt for a kitten given to him on his 88th birthday by Jock Colville, one of his secretaries.

The new kitten was formally known as Malley but has been renamed Jock VI. He was a stray cat taken into the care of an animal welfare group before it was adopted by Chartwell officials.

He is described as a “caring, loving” cat.

The Churchill home and gardens, which are popular with tourists, are located in the Kent countryside roughly 25 miles south of London.