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Winston Churchill (1874-1965) by Tan Wallace

INTRODUCTION visited him while he was in school, despite his pleas. In December was a 1894, Churchill graduated as one brilliant orator, an eloquent writer, of Sandhurst's top students and an earnest artist and a charismatic was commissioned as a cavalry politician. He is best known for officer thereafter.3 leading a successful Allied strategy to defeat the Axis powers during World War Two (WWII). Upon completion of his EARLY LIFE basic military training, Churchill travelled to Cuba while on his leave The Right Honourable to witness the rebellion being put Sir Winston Leonard Spencer down by the Spanish forces. In Churchill was born to a privileged 1895, after his leave was over, he aristocratic family on 30th th November, 1874. Since both his joined the 4 (Queen’s Own) Hussars parents were frequently travelling to serve in India and , where and away from home,1 Churchill he joined the Battle of Omdurman was taken care of mainly by his in 1898. During this period, he nanny, Elizabeth Everest, whom developed an interest in writing. Churchill fondly called ‘Woomany.’2 He also started supplying military reports for Just before his eighth birthday and published The Story of the in 1882, Churchill enrolled into Malakand Field Force (1898) and an elite preparatory school, St The River War (1899).5 After leaving George's at Ascot. Though he was the British Army in 1899, Churchill never an outstanding student, he started working for the Morning was well-liked by his peers. In Post as a war correspondent. 1887, at the age of twelve, Churchill Unfortunately, he was captured by went to Harrow, a reputable school the Boers during his coverage on situated near London, where he the Boer War in South Africa but began studying military tactics. In made headlines after managing to 1893, upon graduation, Churchill escape captivity within a month. enrolled into the Sandhurst Royal Upon his return to England, he Military College. Churchill's distant wrote about his experiences while relationship with his parents was being captured in the book, London made evident as his parents seldom to Ladysmith (1900).

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exchanges for the unemployed, and at the same time, implementing national unemployment insurance to provide aid to those who are unable to find a job during that time. Churchill also expedited the approval of the People's Budget, which introduced new forms of taxes on the rich which will be channelled to the funding of new social welfare programmes.

Winston Churchill subsequently became the First Lord of the Admiralty in October 1911 and started modernising the British Navy, demanding that newly constructed warships be switched from coal-fired to oil-fired engines as the latter were more energy efficient and produced less smoke so that the fleet would not reveal its presence easily.8 For the next Location of the Battle of Omdurman.6 three years, Churchill continued to improve the British Navy ROAD TO POLITICS the Liberal Party after it became while keeping a watchful eye clear that he did not hold the on Germany’s growing military In 1900, the 25 year-old beliefs of the Conservatives.7 prowess. Foreseeing the great Churchill ran for election for the He went on to win the 1906 first time with the Conservative military potential of aeronautical General Election under the newly Party and was voted in as the technology, he established the formed Liberal government, Member of Parliament (MP) for Royal Naval Air Service to fully holding the appointment of the 9 Oldham, Manchester. Few would utilise it. have expected that this was the Under-Secretary of State for the Churchill joined the War start of the successful political Colonies. Having a reputation for Council when war broke out career of Britain’s future prime strong dedication, Churchill was in 1914. Although he was not minister. appointed President of the Board of Trade in the Prime Minister's involved in the Battle of Gallipoli, It was not long before Churchill Cabinet in 1908. In the same year, he was ultimately blamed for the became widely known for his he married his fiancée, Clementine failure of the entire campaign and brilliant speeches made during Ogilvy Hozier. As the President was subsequently forced out of parliamentary sessions in support of the Board of Trade, Churchill politics.11 He then re-joined the of social change to help the poor continued to help the poor by British Army, commanding the 6th and less fortunate. In 1904, introducing Britain’s first ever Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (an Churchill decided to switch to minimum wage, setting up labour infantry regiment) on the Western

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Front for almost two years. Soon WORLD WAR II by Chamberlain to be a vital after David Lloyd George took over stronghold for Britain to deter any Churchill quickly became from Herbert Asquith as the Prime potential aggression by Germany, a leading advocate for British Minister, Churchill was appointed parliament passed a vote of no rearmament after Adolph Hitler Minister of Munitions, primarily confidence against Chamberlain. rose to power in 1933. Though he overseeing the production process Britain was without a prime disliked the communist founded of tanks, aeroplanes, guns and minister, with the possibility of Soviet Union, he firmly maintained war looming in the background. shells for the rest of the war. that Britain and France should form This prompted King George VI Churchill then briefly assumed the an alliance with the communist to quickly appoint Churchill as role of Secretary of State for the state and was especially critical the new Prime Minister. Just a Colonies before losing his MP seat of then British Prime Minister a year later due to fractures and Neville Chamberlain's policy day after Germany successfully divisions within the Liberal Party. of appeasement towards Nazi invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, This prompted him to re-join the Germany.12 Churchill believed that Luxembourg, and France, Churchill Conservatives where he held the appeasement will be futile because delivered his ‘Blood, Toil, Tears, title of Chancellor of the Exchequer of Hitler’s irrational aims and and Sweat’ speech in the House until the Conservative government objectives. As such, no amount of of Commons in a bid to galvanise was defeated in 1929. And for the appeasement would satisfy him— the British to fight against the second time, Churchill was out he would always want more. On seemingly unbeatable Germany. of the government. However, he 3rd September, 1939, after nearly Churchill wasted no time in managed to retain his role of MP ten years out of the government, forming a coalition government this time round. This gave him Churchill was appointed First Lord with leaders from the Labour, more time to focus on his writing, of the Admiralty for the second Liberal and Conservative parties, which included the publication of time as war was imminent. He went utilising the best talent Britain the History of the English Speaking on to become the Chairman of the had, regardless of their political Peoples. His seat in parliament Military Coordinating Committee stance. Knowing that the British ensured that he still had a say in on 4th April, 1940. stood no chance against Germany world affairs, mostly warning the without the help of the United government of Germany’s growing After Germany invaded Norway, States (US), the ever pragmatic threat. which was previously deemed Churchill swiftly formed an alliance with the US, which was made easier because of his good relationship with then US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. By March 1941, Britain was able to obtain essential aid from the US via the ‘Lend Lease Act,’ which allowed Britain to order war supplies from the US on loan.13

Churchill was more confident than ever that the Allies will go on to win the war against the Winston Churchill with the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps.10 Axis Powers after the US entered

POINTER, JOURNAL OF THE SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES VOL.41 NO.1 features 87 the war to fight against Germany RETIREMENT AND DEATH to offer but blood, toil, tears and in December 1941. Churchill sweat.” His unbounded optimism However, age was catching collaborated with US President during Britian’s darkest hour up with Churchill. His health Roosevelt and Soviet Union leader, ensured that the British citizens deteriorated gradually after Joseph Stalin in the subsequent upheld their belief of winning the suffering multiple strokes while months that followed, to devise war. This was seen by his trademark working in his office at 10 Downing a war strategy for the Allies ‘V for Victory’ sign whenever he Street. This news was not made that would eventually lead to was seen in public. known to the public. Instead, they the success of the war against were told that Churchill suffered Germany. He also demonstrated that from exhaustion. It soon became communication was a vital skill Despite receiving much credit clear that Churchill’s physical through his inspirational speeches for the victory of the war, it did and mental state meant that that were delivered in a simple but not prevent Churchill from losing he could no longer continue as the 1945 General Elections to the precise manner, allowing him to Prime Minister for much longer. Labour Party, forcing him to resign. forge a common identity with the On 5th April, 1955, the 80 year- Many British had felt that Churchill people of Britain, thus enabling old Churchill reluctantly resigned, had lost touch with daily life after him to achieve important goals due to failing health. However, years of war. For the following six for the country and ultimately, he remained as a MP until 1964 years, Churchill continued to have winning the war against Germany. when he did not participate in the an influence on British politics as re-election due to poor health. the Leader of the Opposition. In His great foresight in pioneering On 15th January, 1965, Churchill March 1946, while visiting US, he the aeronautical technology also suffered a severe stroke that left delivered his famous ‘’ led to the superiority of the Royal him in a coma. On 24th January, speech, warning them of Soviet Naval Air Service over their German 1965, he died at the age of 90 ascendancy in Eastern Europe. He counterparts. in his London home at Hyde Park also stood firm in his belief that Britain should remain independent Gate with his wife Lady proved to be from Europe.14 It was during this Churchill and other members of the a pragmatic leader, placing period of time that he was able to family at his bedside. Churchill was objectives above all. This was pursue his hobbies such as writing given a state funeral by the decree evident when he formed an and painting. of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's alliance with the communist Cathedral after his body was laid governed Soviet Union despite his SECOND TERM in the Palace of Westminster where strong dislike and disapproval of close to 300,000 people came to After the 1951 General communist ideology. After being Elections, Churchill was made pay their last respects. appointed the Prime Minister by Prime Minister for the second time. King George VI, instead of choosing LEGACY He continued helping the poor politicians from his own party through the ‘Mines and Quarries Churchill is undoubtedly one to assume senior appointments Act’ of 1954 which ensured the of the greatest leaders of the 20th for the war, Churchill decided to safety and well-being of the miners century. Nicknamed the ‘British pick the best politicians from the and raised the standard of housing Bulldog’, he thrived in adversity. different political parties, casting by implementing the ‘Housing In his first speech as Prime aside their political indifferences Repairs and Rent Act’ of 1955 Minister, Churchill told the House and prioritising the nation’s which largely benefited tenants. of Commons that “I have nothing survival.

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Till today, Churchill is still 8. Erik J. Dahl, “From coal to remembered as the man who led oil,” www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/ Britain’s defence against Hitler’s GetTRDoc?AD=ADA524799 invasion.  9. John Simkin, “Royal Naval Air Service,” http://spartacus- educational.com/FWWrnas.htm ENDNOTES 10. Wikipedia, “Winston Churchill With 1. National Churchill Museum, Naval Wing of the Royal Flying “Winston’s Parents,” http://www. Corps,” http://upload.wikimedia. nationalchurchillmuseum.org/ org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/ winston-churchills-parents.html Winston_Churchill_With_Naval_ 2. National Churchill Museum, Wing_of_the_Royal_Flying_ “Winston's Nanny,” https://www. Corps,_1914._CH4778.jpg nationalchurchillmuseum.org/ 11. National Churchill Museum, “World winston-churchill-nanny.html War I and its Aftermath,” http:// 3. Jennifer Rosenberg, “Sir Winston www.nationalchurchillmuseum. Churchill,” http://history1900s. org/churchill-in-world-war-i-and- about.com/od/people/a/Churchill. aftermath.html htm 12. Andy Newman, “Sir Winston 4. Abroad In The Yard, “Winston Churchill and the Anti-fascist Churchill sees Irish VC winner in War,” http://socialistunity.com/ action at Battle of Omdurman 1898, sie-winston-churchill-and-the- and becomes skin graft donor,” anti-fascist-war/ http://www.abroadintheyard. 13. John Simkin, “Lend-Lease,” com/winston-churchill-sees-irish- http://spartacus-educational. vc-winner-in-action-battle-of- com/2WWlendlease.htm omdurman-and-becomes-skin- graft-donor/ 14. Biography, “Winston Churchill,” http://www.biography.com/ 5. Jennifer Rosenberg, “Sir Winston people/winston-churchill-9248164 Churchill,” http://history1900s. about.com/od/people/a/Churchill. htm

6. University of Texas Libraries, “Perry-Castañeda LibraryMap Collection”http://www.lib.utexas. edu/maps/cia01/sudan_sm01.jpg

7. Ben Draper and Jak Brown, “Sir Winston Churchill” https://www. gov.uk/government/history/past- prime-ministers/winston-churchill

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