The International Churchill Society (Official)

As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's birth, it’s a powerful reminder of his remarkable resilience in the face of numerous life-threatening events. Churchill survived several close brushes with death, including a bout of pneumonia and near-fatal encounters during wartime. At the 2024 ICS Conference, several speakers reflected on how these experiences shaped his indomitable spirit. Historian Sir David Cannadine noted that Churchill’s survival in these moments reinforced his belief that he was destined for greatness. These brushes with death gave Churchill a unique perspective on life’s fragility, motivating his leadership during Britain’s darkest hours and fuelling his unyielding drive to defend his nation. #churchill #winstonchurchill #thinkchurchill #churchill150

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's birth on November 30, 1874. Beyond his indelible mark as a wartime leader, Churchill was a Nobel laureate in Literature, an accomplished painter, and a visionary statesman whose strategies shaped modern Britain. Today we celebrate his enduring legacy that encompasses far more than his political achievements, embracing his contributions to the arts, literature, and global peace. Happy 150th Birthday Sir Winston. #churchill #winstonchurchill #Leadership #History #Churchill150 #ChurchillLegacy

As we reflect on Sir Winston Churchill’s extraordinary life, it’s essential to recognise the vital role his family played in shaping and supporting him through the challenges of leadership. While Churchill was a towering figure on the world stage, at home he was a husband, father, and grandfather—roles that were not always easy to balance alongside his demanding political career. His marriage to Clementine was a partnership built on mutual respect, love, and unwavering support. She was his confidante, his advisor, and often the one who helped him weather the darkest days of his career. Their five children—Diana, Randolph, Sarah, Marigold, and Mary—were raised in an environment where their father’s dedication to public service often took precedence, but his love for them was deep. His youngest daughter, Mary Soames, later reflected that despite his many responsibilities, Winston was an affectionate father. Churchill’s relationship with his children wasn’t without its difficulties. His political career placed immense pressure on family life, particularly with his son, Randolph, with whom Churchill often clashed. In many ways, Churchill's expectations of his children were as high as those he placed on himself, and this occasionally led to friction, particularly as Randolph attempted to follow in his father's footsteps. As a grandfather, Churchill had the opportunity to embrace family life with a greater sense of ease. He adored spending time with his grandchildren and often indulged them with his wit and playfulness. His granddaughter, Celia Sandys, has recounted how much joy Churchill found in family gatherings at Chartwell, where he could briefly escape the weight of his responsibilities. This close-knit, though occasionally turbulent, family life is a testament to Churchill’s humanity, reminding us that even history's greatest figures are, at their core, shaped by the people closest to them. #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #churchillfamily

This year as we celebrate 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill, to commemorate the anniversary Henry Poole and Co has teamed up with the International Churchill Society (ICS) to design a signature pair of cufflinks.   Henry Poole said, "Having the fortune of working with the ICS, and also visiting both Chartwell House and Blenheim Palace, we had become charmed by his written correspondence with his wife Clementine. During their fifty-six year marriage they would regularly write to each other signing off their letters to one another with their pet names for each other; he was her “pug” and she his “cat.” We chose to have these doodle motifs inside a cobalt blue glass enamel sitting on either a rhodium or gilt plated metal."   Available to shop in store at 15 Savile Row or online at: https://lnkd.in/etNMci2n #churchill #winstonchurchill #thinkchurchill #chrchillcufflinks

Sir Winston Churchill’s relationship with his wife, Clementine, was one of the most influential in his life, providing him with the emotional resilience necessary to face the monumental pressures of leadership. At the 2024 ICS Conference, Katherine Carter remarked, “Clementine was Churchill’s rock, guiding him through the most difficult moments with unwavering support and strength.” Their marriage, often played out in the public eye, was filled with both triumphs and trials. When they wed, Churchill was already a prominent figure in the Liberal government, making them one of the "celebrity couples" of the age. Thankfully, Winston had chosen “most wisely and most well,” as Clementine's resilience helped steer their family through countless crises, from financial struggles to family tensions. Clementine's childhood, marked by similar financial and emotional difficulties, equipped her to cope with the high demands of being Churchill's wife. Her inner strength proved invaluable, particularly during the Second World War, when Winston faced incredible pressure as Prime Minister. Despite their many challenges, the Churchills maintained a close and loving relationship. They often exchanged affectionate letters during their long periods of separation, referring to each other with pet names: she was his ‘Kat’ and he was her ‘Pug.’ Their correspondence, decorated with playful drawings, reflected the deep affection and humour that underpinned their marriage. As their daughter Mary Soames later remarked, “Perhaps history would have been different if my father had married a docile yes-woman... but my mother had the will and capacity to stand up to him, to confront him and to argue with him.” Indeed, Clementine’s capacity to challenge Winston and provide thoughtful counsel was key to his success. #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #InternationalChurchillConference #InternationalChurchillSociety #InternationalChurchillConference2024

This autumn brings a fascinating duo of books delving into Winston Churchill’s 1930s wilderness years. "Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm" by Katherine Carter, focuses on how Chartwell, Churchill's beloved home, served as the strategic hub against the rising Nazi threat. Carter, Chartwell's curator, uses the home's guestbook to weave a narrative that places Chartwell at the centre of Churchill’s political efforts during the 1930s. "Winston’s Bandits: Churchill and His Maverick Friends" by Adrian Phillips, offers a detailed exploration of the influential yet eccentric group of men—dubbed Churchill's 'mavericks'—who were instrumental during these critical years. Phillips provides an insightful look into their unconventional tactics and the crucial intelligence they gathered. Reviewed by David Lough in our latest ICS Bulletin, these books unveil the intricate details of Churchill’s life and the influential figures around him. Both books present unique yet complementary views of a pivotal decade in Churchill's life and are essential reads for anyone interested in the complexities of historical leadership. Dive deeper into these riveting accounts of political strategy, personal resolve, and the friendships that influenced a nation on the brink of war. #Churchill #WinstonChurchill #ThinkChurchill #history #historybooks Katherine Carter

On this day, 7 Nov 1924 Sir Winston Churchill was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. Although elected as a ‘Constitutionalist’ member for Epping in October 1924, Churchill rejoined the Conservative Party and accepted an appointment in Stanley Baldwin’s Unionist government as Chancellor of the Exchequer, the highest ministerial post once held by his father Lord Randolph.  Churchill would hold this position until 1929 when he resigned from the post following the defeat of Baldwin's government.  This saw the beginning of his so-called ‘Wilderness Years’. #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #Leadership #Politician #Politics #Chancellor #ChancellorOfTheExchequer #ChurchillSociety

Sir Winston Churchill won his first election to Parliament as a Conservative (Tory) for the town of Oldham in 1900. He quickly made a name for himself as a rising politician, though he was controversial, and in 1904 he left his father's party and joined the Liberals.  Early in his career, he held a succession of senior Government roles, and in 1924, he returned to the Conservative Party as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was talented, but many mistrusted him. Scroll through the images to find out more about Churchill's time as a young politician.  #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #Leadership #Politician #Politics #YoungPolitician #RisingPolitician

May 19, 1943: Sir Winston Churchill tells the US Congress that Britain is committed to fighting Japan. This speech, often referred to as his "Fighting Speech," was delivered during Churchill's visit to Washington, D.C. for the Trident Conference, where Allied leaders planned the invasion of Normandy. “It is the duty of those who are charged with the direction of the war to overcome at the earliest moment the military, geographical and political difficulties and begin the process so necessary and desirable of laying the cities and other munition centres of Japan in ashes, for in ashes they must surely lie before peace comes back to the world. ” ‘And here let me say: let no one suggest that we British have not at least as great an interest as the United States in the unflinching and relentless waging of war against Japan. But I am here to tell you that we will wage that war side by side with you, in accordance with the best strategic employment of our forces while there is breath in our bodies and while blood flows in our veins." #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #fightingspeech

Politician, artist, bricklayer, historian, soldier, biographer, essayist... Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on St Andrew’s Day, 30 November 1874, to Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill and Jennie Jerome. He would go on to lead one of the most remarkable lives in modern history, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth this November. #Churchill #ThinkChurchill #WinstonChurchill #Leadership #History #Biography