Sir Winston Churchill

On January 24th, 1965, at the age of 90, Sir Winston Churchill died at his home in Hyde Park Gate, London.




He died beloved of his fellow Britons, whom he had led through the darkest days of World War II to final victory. He was accorded a State funeral, and as the train bearing his body passed through the English countryside, people in their thousands gathered at the trackside to bare their heads in respect.

He was undoubtedly the greatest British leader of the 20th Century, and probably among the top ten world leaders of that century as well: and, in all of British history, I'm sure he'd bear favorable comparison with any other candidate for the title of Greatest British Leader Of All Time. Certainly, none had to face greater challenges and disasters than he.

In this day and age, when the mainstream media makes a mockery of the word 'hero' by applying it to all and sundry, let's remember that 'heroism' involves the risk of one's life. Churchill put his own life at risk in military service on more than one occasion, including commanding his battalion in France during World War I. His example in the Second World War inspired heroism among his countrymen, and remains to us today as a shining light amid a world that had otherwise fallen into darkness.

Here are three of his greatest moments during World War II. First, after the fall of France, he encourages Britain to fight on.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the USA into the war, Churchill (whose mother was American) was invited to address both houses of the US Government.

Finally, at the end of the war in Europe, he was able to give thanks to and for Britain, and caution them that Japan remained to be defeated.

Let us remember Sir Winston with all honor. "Come the hour, come the man" - and when the hour struck, he was there when needed. We shall not see his like again.

Peter