May 23, 2013

UK NEWS: FINEST HOUR 130, SPRING 2006

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RCDS BUST UNVEILED

NOVEMBER 29TH— A specially commissioned bust of Churchill was unveiled at the Royal College of Defence Studies by his grandson Winston, who was accompanied by other members of his family.

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The College, in central London, owes its origins to the recommendation of a Cabinet committee in 1922, presided over by WSC, then Secretary of State for the Colonies. Called the Imperial Defence College until adopting its current title in 1970, it was established in 1927. It runs year-long courses for senior Service officers and Government officials: members of the 2005 course come from forty-one different countries.

The bronze bust measures 7x70cm, weighs 85 kilos and now stands in a prominent position in the entrance hall. The sculptor is Margarita Hernandez, a Colombian living in London.

WOODFORD/EPPING BRANCH

NOVEMBER 30TH— A new Branch was inaugurated on WSC’s birthday; it covers the area of his final parliamentary constituency at Woodford, together with its earlier partner Epping—he was MP for one or both places from 1924 to 1964—and the surrounding area. Thirty people attended; they expect to meet regularly three times a year.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This occurred on 29 April, with a talk by Hugh Lunghi, one of WSC’s Russian interpreters at Teheran, Potsdam and his visits to Russia. FH will carry details.

BERLIN VISIT

This is scheduled for 1-7 May, when Lady Soames will unveil a plaque at the villa near Potsdam occupied by her father and herself in July 1945.

PORTSMOUTH DVD

This memento of the 2004 Conference will form a valuable record of Society the wider historical scene because it includes the personal experiences of D-Day participants with conference activities. Details will be published when the project has been finalised.

COURTENAY AT WINCHESTER

FEBRUARY 1ST— Paul Courtenay spoke on some of the less well-known things Churchill said and wrote, particularly in early life, at the Winchester Association of National Trust Members. The talk was very well attended in a packed church hall, where over 100 gathered. He discussed Churchill’s life chronologically, using slides and quotations. The audience particularly appreciated the many examples of Churchill’s humour, his joke about de Gaulle being “like a female llama surprised in the bath” being a particular favourite.

HAVENGORE

The vessel that carried WSC’s coffin up the Thames after his State funeral in 1965 was auctioned on 15 December. The highest bid was £780,000 and did not reach the reserve price, so no sale has yet taken place.