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You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs—Victory in spite of all terror—Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat
(May 13, 1940; The House of Commons)
On this day in 1965 Great Britain and the world said there last farewell to Winston Churchill, the wartime prime minister who was seen as a national icon during the Second World War and still to this day.
During WW2 Sir Winston was a great inspiration to a country that was devastated by a war that seemed to be never ending.
His speeches especially, rallied a country together, the rhetoric inspired the strength of the nation throughout the Second World War.
This can be shown in his speech in June 18, 1940 in the House of Commons; called the finest hour:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.
Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”
January 30, 1965 was the day of his state funeral, thousands of people paid their respect, silent crowds lined the streets to watch the gun carriage bearing Sir Winston’s coffin.
Sir Winston Churchill had died six days ago, following a stroke earlier in the month from which he never regained consciousness.
A total of 321,360 people filed past the catafalque during the three days of lying-in-state.
The funeral was watched worldwide, millions watched the funeral procession that was televised by the BBC, the mourners were led by Sir Winston’s wife Lady Clementine Churchill, his son Randolph and daughters Mary Soames and Lady Sarah Audley.
The Queen and other members of the royal family, the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, and representatives of 112 countries all packed into the cathedral for the service.
Sir Winston Churchill was the first statesmen to be given a state funeral in the 20th century, an icon of an age when keep calm and carry on truly embodied the British image.
The presence of so many at his funeral displayed just how much he meant to the country.
Today is the 50th anniversary since his funeral and there will be many tributes to this great man throughout the country.
