Feature Article on Winston Churchill. Topic: WAR
& PEOPLE
Written by David Lodge in March,
1997
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL - A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME -- 1874-1965...Pg 5 |
| It was 1914 and the world was at
war. I mobilized the Royal Navy, taking sea action against the enemy throughout the
European theatre. Unfortunately, in 1915, after suffering extensive losses at Gallipoli
and suffering a tumultuous negative reaction in Britain, I was forced to resign my post.
It was also during 1914 that Clementine produced another child, our lovely daughter Sarah.
"This proliferation of children must surely end soon." We loved our
children, and more were coming, and unknown to us, terrible tragedy. Marigold Francis was
born on November 15, 1918, and died August 23, 1921. It is possible to utter, "I
have too many children," but when one tumbles out of the nest, the emptiness and
despair at such a loss is immeasurable, and remains a part of you for the rest of your
days. On September 15, 1922, God blessed us with our final child, a beautiful daughter,
Mary. During World War I, and after losing my Admiralty position, I joined the army’s fight in France; returning to England in 1916 to resume my political career. 1917 saw my appointment to Minister of Munitions, followed by Secretary of State for War and Air. After the war, in 1921, my darling mother died leaving me distraught and bewildered. She, along with Clementine, had been my devoted supporters. But, life goes on, and I was appointed Colonial Secretary in 1921, followed by Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1924. With relative peace in Europe prevailing, my political career became somewhat undistinguished. I again won some elections and I lost some, but for the most part, my life as a politician and statesman appeared to be over, or, as my premonitions perceived, dormant.
From the late twenties to the mid thirties I spent most of my time writing, although in 1929 I became the Rector of Edinburgh University and Chancellor of Bristol University. It was during these years that I watched with so much dismay and concern at the ranting and raving of the Hitlerites in Germany, that in 1935 I began writing articles for Strand magazine warning of the dangers that lay ahead. I opposed rearmament of Germany as early as 1932 and I warned the world of the consequences. My speeches, during the times I served as an elected official in Parliament, about Hitler and his cronies, fell on death ears. The evil was not there to be seen. The war to end all wars was not yet a distant memory in the minds of the British, but a devastating event that took place only two decades earlier. "Peace in our time," was the rallying cry of those who would concede nations to suppression under the nazi boot. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
