THE NEWS
A RE GUL AR N GIVI EWS NG I LETT UPD N FOR ER ATES M ATIO TO T N AN H I O N SE I ALL (PLE NTER D THIN ASE ESTE FEEL GS ‘C ANY D H F REE URC ONE HILL TO D YOU ’ ISTR THIN IBUT KM E TH AY B IS T E IN O TERE STED .)
July 2011
Issue No: 9
This is the last issue before the summer break (do I hear sighs of relief). You may however receive the occasional email to advise of any exciting developments. As you will see below details of the forthcoming International Conference, to be held in London, are given for those Branch members who are not members of The Churchill Centre (UK). The theme of the conference is ‘The Special Relationship’ so this copy of ‘The News’ has a transatlantic feel.
Celia Lee -
following her
successful talk ‘White Roses and Lilac Orchids’. The evening was extra special as our President, Randolph and his wife Catherine were able to join us. For
more
information
and
pictures see page 2. Sincere ‘team’
thanks for
their
to
all
help
the
Those of us who volunteer at Chartwell will almost certainly see an influx of international members visiting and I would like to offer our services whilst they are visiting - if you are interested please let me know.
In this issue: 29th June meeting London International Conference The Royal Naval Division The Atlantic Charter Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
with
refreshments and setting up. chartwelltccuk@virginmedia.com
THE NEWS
PAGE 2
A GREAT EVENING ,
With our best attendance thus far, Celia Lee treated us to a most interesting and enlightening talk to celebrate the life of Jennie Lady Randolph Churchill. The date was important as it was on 29th June 1921 that Jennie succumbed to a fatal haemorrhage. Celia gave details of Jennie’s extensive charitable works and her contribution during both the Boer War and First World War, which seem to have been disregarded by most other commentators.
After her talk Celia answered a variety of questions clearing up many misconceptions of Jennie’s life. It was a fitting tribute to a remarkable Lady.
Pictures courtesy of Grace Filby
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THE NEWS
PAGE 3
THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION As with so many of the ideas and initiatives in the Great Man’s life, the establishment of The Royal Naval Division brought criticism initially, only for the project to be justified in the fullness of time. The origins of the force go back before the outbreak of t h e G r e a t Wa r a t t h e instigation of the ‘Committee of Imperial Defence’, as a force of Royal Marines to be under the control of The Admiralty. It was originally called ‘Advance Base Force’ and its role was the seizure, fortification or protection of any temporary naval bases. When war broke out the division was formed and the official communique only added fuel to the critics fire, it stated: “After providing for all present and foreseeable future needs of the fleet there remained available are large number of men”. This implied a sort of ‘rag bag’ of recruits left over from the manpower required to service the fleet of the Royal Navy without proper forethought. The battalions were named after famous Admirals to attempt to keep the link with the Royal Navy.
Amongst the volunteers for the Division were notables such as Rupert Brooke, A M Asquith and A P Herbert. Brooke sadly died in April 1915 whilst en route to Gallipoli, Asquith became a Brigadier gaining medals for bravery on the Western Front and A P Herbert became an MP and satirical and humorous writer. The division served with distinction in the Gallipoli landings After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the RND moved to France where it participated in the final phase of the Battle of The Somme. Just prior to the fighting on the Ancre, the division received a new commanding officer Major General Cameron Shute. He had an intense dislike for the unconventional "nautical" traditions of the division and made numerous unpopular attempts to stamp them out. Following a particularly critical inspection of the trenches by General Shute, Sub-Lieutenant A.P. Herbert penned the following verse:
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THE NEWS
PAGE 4
The General inspecting the trenches
And certain responsible critics
Exclaimed with a horrified shout
Made haste to reply to his words
'I refuse to command a division
Observing that his staff advisors
Which leaves its excreta about.'
Consisted entirely of turds.
But nobody took any notice
For sh.. may be shot at odd corners
No one was prepared to refute,
And paper supplied there to suit,
That the presence of sh.. was congenial
But a sh.. would be shot without mourners
Compared to the presence of Shute.
If somebody shot that sh.. Shute. A P Herbert - Royal Navy Division.
28th International Conference - London October 26th-28th - 2011 Churchill’s ‘Special Relationship’: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow The 28th International Churchill Conference Conference will be held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel in London. The conference will commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the signing of The Atlantic Charter and the beginning of the Special Relationship. Full details of the programme of events can be found at www.winstonchurchill.org. Volunteers are required to help at the event - if you would like to be involved contact Bridget Warrington Bridget.warrington@chu.cam.ac.uk Fax: 01223 336135 Tel: 01223 336135
, chartwelltccuk@virginmedia.com
THE NEWS
PAGE
5
THE ATLANTIC CHARTER 14th August 1941
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THENEWS! NEWS THE
6
PAGE6 PAGE
AT OUR MEETING ON 29TH JUNE OUR PRESIDENT GAVE DETAILS OF THE WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST Applications now being accepted
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