Winston Churchill was born on the 30th November 1874 and sadly passed away on 24th January 1965 at 90 years old. Most people remember him as the prime minister who led Britain to victory during World War II. But what else do you know about this remarkable man? Here are nine facts that you might find interesting…
Term of Office
Winston Churchill became the prime minister of the UK not once, but twice. The first time he was appointed was during the Second World War, where he stayed from May 1940 until July 1945. His second term of office began in October 1951 until April 1955. Churchill represented 5 constituencies and held 12 different political offices, serving in Parliament for over 60 years in total.
Serving Under Two Sovereigns
During his time in office, Winston Churchill served under two different monarchs; King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. He is one of ten prime ministers to have served under two sovereigns, alongside Robert Peel, H. H. Asquith and more recently Liz Truss. He also began his political career in 1900, meaning that within this 60-year period, Churchill actually saw the reign of six different monarchs; Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II!
Throughout his 60-year political career, there were also 14 different prime ministers in office, including himself. The role switched 18 times between these 14 people, with the first being Robert Gascoyne-Cecil and the final being Alec Douglas-Home.
Chart Success
Winston Churchill is the only prime minister to have broken into the UK album charts, not once, but twice. The first occasion came in 1965, under the Decca record label, with an album called “The Voice of Winston Churchill”, which was a collection of his most famous speeches. It reached number six in the album charts.
The second occasion was in 2010 with an album called “Reach For The Skies”. Performed by the RAF Central Band, it was a rousing selection of Churchill’s World War Two speeches set to music. It entered the charts at number four. His voice also featured at the beginning of the band Iron Maiden’s hit ‘Aces High’ in 1984, which told the story of an RAF pilot in a dogfight during the Battle of Britain.
Prisoner of War
In 1899, Winston Churchill was a newspaper correspondent working for The Morning Post. He was sent to cover the Boer War in South Africa. Shortly after his arrival he accompanied a scouting expedition on an armoured train. The train was ambushed by the Boers, and Churchill was captured and imprisoned.
During the night of 12th December 1899, Churchill scaled a fence and made a break for freedom. He then navigated 300 miles through enemy territory, hiding by day and travelling by night. A coal mine manager called John Howard took Churchill in, and smuggled him onto a freight train that took him to freedom in Portuguese East Africa.
The following summer Churchill helped liberate the 180 soldiers remaining in the prison that Churchill escaped from. He returned to Britain that summer as a hero.
Trouble Speaking
Winston Churchill was one of the greatest public speakers of modern times, with his speeches famously rousing a nation during the Second World War. It may seem incredible then, that Churchill grew up with a speech impediment; pronouncing “S” as “Sh”. He was advised by an American masseuse that his tongue was “restrained by a ligament than nobody else has.” Churchill persevered, and he practiced and rehearsed his speeches, stating that he would eventually become a great public speaker saying: “My impediment is no hindrance”.
Prolific Art
Although Winston Churchill did not begin painting until he was in his Forties, he became an accomplished artist, and painted over 500 works over a 48-year period. Whilst he never aspired to create masterpieces, stating he merely painted for pleasure, an exhibition of 105 of Churchill’s paintings went on display at Sotheby’s in London in 2014, for just two weeks, and attracted 12,000 people.
Nobel Prize
Since its inception in 1901, Winston Churchill is the only British Prime Minister to win the Nobel Prize for Literature ever. It was not just for his writing, but also for his powerful speeches, that reached the hearts and minds of so many people all over the world.
He was awarded the accolade in 1953, ‘for his mastery of historical and biographical description, as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values’.
Second Oldest Prime Minister in British History
Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister on 5th April 1955 when he was 80 years and 126 days old, thus making him the second oldest prime minister in British history. He was beaten by William Ewart Gladstone, who was 84 years and 63 days old when he resigned from the post.
Honoured on a British Crown Coin
Following Winston Churchill’s death in 1965, a crown named ‘The Winston Churchill coin’ was minted to commemorate his life. This coin was the first ever British coin to depict a public figure other than a member of the Royal Family, making it highly valuable. A £5 coin was also released in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
Featured in this special WWII Emergency Banknote and Stamp Limited Edition Set are the nation’s tribute to Sir Winston Churchill. His impact on the conduct of the war and on Britain’s resolve cannot be understated. You can view this HERE.
