March 12, 2015

Finest Hour 159, Summer 2013

Page 22

By Ursula Corcoran


The unusually long and active service of Winston Churchill as a Territorial soldier is to be one of the permanent themes of a new museum, currently under construction at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and due to open within the next twelve months.

Until now, Churchill’s main connection with Oxfordshire has been seen as being born a “Marlborough” at Blenheim Palace, and having used Ditchley Park as a World War II alternative to Chequers, when the prime minister’s country residence was deemed too visible to bombers during nights of the full moon. And, of course, he chose Bladon, near Woodstock, as his last resting place. Records of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry, a partner in the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, now demonstrate that his connection with the county and its people is far deeper and more intimate than previously acknowledged.

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On an unofficial basis, Churchill joined his Marlborough relatives in the Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars) in November 1901. He then joined officially in February 1902. He soon transferred from the Woodstock to the Henley Squadron for easier commuting from his London home. He took command of the Henley Squadron in 1905 and retained it until not long before the outbreak of war in 1914. Squadron records show his personal dedication to his command during this vital period in the development of his political career including, of course, his holding, successively, three great offices of State: the Board of Trade, the Home Office and the Admiralty.

Under Churchill’s very personal leadership, informed by regular army active service, the Henley Squadron of the QOOH became acknowledged, in competition, as one of the most effective in the British Army. After giving up command in 1914, he used his position at the is truly remarkable. A number of his regimental comrades in the QOOH were men of considerable distinction.

The museum currently under construction in the grounds of the existing Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is the creation of Soldiers of Oxfordshire (SOFO). It is due to open late in 2013. SOFO was originally formed by the Trusts relating to Oxfordshire’s Admiralty to have the QOOH sent among the first of all the British Yeomanry to Belgium, in September that year. In 1922, Churchill joined again, trained with them and proudly earned his Territorial Decoration. By then the QOOH had been converted from cavalry to artillery, though WSC remained long enough to earn the Territorial Decoration, which he received in 1924.

Churchill maintained his Regiment association for rest of his life, both as Honorary Colonel and later, using his authority as prime minister, to ensure “his” regiment went where the action was hottest. His wishes for his funeral, followed in “Operation Hope-Not,” provided for a QOOH contingent to march in his cortege, immediately in front of the Household Cavalry.

A record of such devotion to a “part-time” regiment is unusual, even in the most committed Territorial officers. In an ambitious and successful politician and statesman it is truly remarkable. A number of his regimental comrades in the QOOH were men of considerable distinction.

The museum currently under construction in the grounds of the existing Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is the creation of Soldiers of Oxfordshire (SOFO). It is due to open late in 2013. SOFO was originally formed by the Trusts relating to Oxfordshire’s Regiments, including the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as well as the Yeomanry, to make their collections and histories accessible to the county. Its purpose has now been widened to study, record and make accessible the impact of conflict on Oxfordshire and its people, including all armed services, regular and part-time, British and Allied, as well as the civil population.

The SOFO Volunteer Archiving and Research team is already well established and studying a wide range of subjects arising over recorded history. Many temporary exhibitions have achieved success; one showing at Woodstock focuses on Churchill’s service in the Oxfordshire Yeomanry. There is considerable communication activity and a principal aim of SOFO is to serve educational needs in Oxfordshire. For more information please visit the museum website: www.sofo.org.uk.


Ms. Corcoran represents the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (www.sofo.org.uk).

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