News and Views Volume 44
www.winstonchurchillcanada
Autumn 2014
Dear Fellow Canadian Churchillians: New Members A Hearty welcome is extended to new members – Jerry Grafstein, John Hawco, and Honourary Life member Charles Foster (see comments below). Past Event – “An Evening with Sir Winston” – Wednesday October 1st. Renowned actor/director RH Thomson, in a power point presentation, held the attendees transfixed with the account of his project to have all the countries which participated in WWl commemorate their fallen by projecting the individual names on web sites and public buildings. The Event also included a very special presentation of a Union Jack to our Society by Charles Foster via our member John Hawco. Charles is now 91 years of age and during WW2 he worked in the Cabinet War Rooms in London. At the end of his tour there he decided to take as a souvenir the flag which had been flying outside the cabinet rooms. In an article, Memories of a Wonderful Life, which has been downloaded to our web site, Charles states – “On my final day in the bunker I was called in to the Prime Minister’s room. He put out his hand, thanked me for my work and wished me luck in the years ahead. I saluted and turned away. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘There is one more thing. Since you already have my flag perhaps you would care to have the flagpole as well!’ “ We are honoured and delighted to have you as an honourary member Charles and we will ensure the flag has a good home before being entrusted to a military museum. Annual Dinner Please mark your calendar for Thursday May 7, 2015 – details will be advised in due course. Churchill Statue in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto Following a request by Chairman, Randy Barber the Churchill Donor Plaque is being restored and the work should be completed by late November.” Atlantic Charter Foundation – www.atlanticcharter.ca In the last newsletter we did not include the web site of the Foundation and the writer of the report - Barry Davenport. Apologies Barry for the oversight. The Globe and Mail of August 13 included an article by our member Peter Russell, and this is available for viewing on our web site.
Page 2 From the Bookshelf As promised in our last issue with the sad news of the death of Winston Churchill’s daughter, Lady Mary Soames, we are including excerpts from two of her books. A Daughter’s Tale - published in 2011 (This extract covers her acting as ADC to her Father during the Quadrant Conference in Quebec City in August 1943). “We made landfall on the afternoon of Monday, August 9, when I went up on to the bridge with Guy Gibson and watched Canada appear. Saw 2 whales. It was lovely & most impressive steaming into Halifax harbour with our US Navy escort “line astern”. Mounties in scarlet & blue patrolled the quayside. Although elaborate security arrangements had been made, the true identity of ‘Colonel Warden’ (my father’s pseudonym for this trip) had become known and there was a large and enthusiastic crowd at the railway station...(On arriving at Quebec City) our party was whisked up to the Citadelle...it was after dark when we arrived , and I remember my mother and I stood for quite a long time looking out over the twinkling city lights below us – after four years of blackout at home it seemed a wonderful sight...(After meeting ‘literally hundreds of people’) it was a constant revelation to me just how greatly my father was admired and how Britain’s lonely stand in 1939-40, and the courage of the civilians under bombardment, had really gripped people’s imagination. (Departing from Halifax on September 14) the band played...’O Canada’ - & as we took up position in midstream heading for the open sea the band struck up ‘Should auld acquaintance be forgot.’ It was a lovely afternoon. Clear skies – bright sunshine – a soft breeze – shipyard workers (men & women) cheering. Papa went out onto the bridge & and I went too. What a wonderful land we are leaving.” Clementine Churchill - published in 1979 (This extract covers the voyage on the Queen Mary commencing on September 5, 1944, and their disembarking in Halifax, before travelling to the Octagon Conference in Quebec City). “During the voyage the weather became hot and sticky – they had taken a southerly course following the Gulf Stream, partly to get good weather, and partly to avoid U-boat packs. Winston, whom Clementine reported as being ‘in low spirits and not very well,’ worked as usual in his cabin...Lord Moran had brought with him a pathologist and a nurse; and in the event he was proved to have acted prudently, and with foresight, for Winston sprang a temperature during the last part of the sea journey...on September 10 Clementine was able to report to us at home that: ‘This morning he woke up well, and by then we were out of the Gulf Stream in glorious normal summer weather, with an oily sea, lovely sunshine and a light breeze...The news had got around in Halifax and Papa had the most marvellous welcome. We had a great send-off from the ship which is going on to New York. The taffrails were garlanded with cheering, shouting, waving men, and then crowds came running and gathered round the waiting train...At Halifax there was a prolonged delay before the train started, the crowd all sang songs, ‘Tipperary, ‘ , ‘Pack up your Troubles’, ‘Roll out the Barrel’ and ‘O Canada’ ending with ‘God Save the King’. It is thrilling and moving and, oh, how I wish that Sarah and Mary were here.’ “ Comments, suggestions, articles would be appreciated. Please write or e-mail to Terry Reardon, 182 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M9A 1H6. Tel. 416 231 6803. E-mail: reardont@rogers.com.