Author: The Churchill Geek

MYTH: Churchill’s Speech Impediment Was Stuttering

Published on by The Churchill Geek

Churchill-age-24-cc-photo

by John Mather, M.D.

The Baltimore Sun Sunday November 17,2002, raises the issue as to whether Churchill was a stutterer or simply had a lisp.  The American Stuttering Foundation claims that he was a stutterer and continues to use him as their “pin-up boy” in its advertisements in medical journals, claiming that this is documented in several books.

Fiona Reynoldson’s book Winston Churchill, which seeks to capture the imagination and attention of younger readers comments that, “Churchill came home on leave in 1897 and went to see a doctor in London about his lisp.  He pronounced “s” as “sh”.  Nothing was found to be wrong, but the lisp never went away.  Despite this, he made his first political speech during his leave and later became a great orator in the House of Commons.

”So what is the correct diagnosis: “stuttering” or a “lisp”?

To continue reading, click on the link below.

Source: Churchill’s Speech Impediment Was Stuttering

Churchill Conference 2016

Published on by The Churchill Geek

Candice Millard to Speak on Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill New York Times best-selling author Candice Millard will discuss her new book about Winston Churchill’s exploits in the Boer War during a lunchtime session at the Thirty-second International Churchill Conference, which takes place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D. C. from 27–29 October. Millard’s first two books covered Theodore Roosevelt’s post-presidential adventures in the Amazon and the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Her talk promises to be a highlight of a busy conference that marks the opening of the National Churchill Library and Center at George Washington University.

Source: Churchill Conference 2016

What Would Winston Churchill Say About Brexit?

Published on by The Churchill GeekLeave a comment

 

winston-churchill-brexit.jpg
Photo by foqus, Flickr

“If we are to form a United States of Europe, or whatever name it may take, we must begin now….Our constant aim must be to build and fortify the strength of the United Nations organization. Under and within that world concept, we must recreate the European family in a regional structure, called, it may be, the United States of Europe, and the first practical step would be to form a Council of Europe. If at first all states of Europe are not willing or able to join the union, we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and can.”

—Winston Churchill speaking in Zurich
September 1946

England’s First Polymer Banknote Features Winston Churchill

Published on by The Churchill GeekLeave a comment

England’s first polymer banknote, a new £5 featuring the image of Winston Churchill, will be formally introduced by the Bank of England this Thursday, June 2. The launch will be held at Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace in Oxfordshire, and will be in circulation by September. Paper banknotes are set to be phased out entirely by 2020

Winston Churchill on board the Queen Mary with his bodyguard, Walter Thompson

A Unique Glimpse Into the Era of the Queen Mary and Winston Churchill

Published on by The Churchill GeekLeave a comment

Clark GableCarrying Hollywood celebrities like Greta Garbo and Clark Gable, royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and dignitaries like Winston Churchill, the Queen Mary was one of the most magnificent ocean liners in the world. 

However, only three years after her maiden voyage, the Queen Mary was commandeered as a troopship. In 1939 she was painted in camouflage grey and divested of her opulent creature comforts. Nicknamed the “Grey Ghost,” the Queen Mary was the largest and fastest troopship to sail, transporting as many as 16,000 troops at 30 knots—34 mph.

Though Adolph Hitler offered $250,000 and the Iron Cross to any U-boat captain that could sink her, Winston Churchill still considered the Queen Mary his headquarters at sea. He was a passenger three times during World War II, along with his dedicated bodyguard, Walter Thompson, at his side. Avoiding German U-boats, the ship sailed in a zigzag course and under blackout conditions.

After WWII, the Queen Mary went through a 10-month long renovation to be restored to her original glory. On July 21, 1947, regular passenger service across the Atlantic Ocean was reinstated, and continued to serve the public for nearly two more decades.

Retired in 1967, the Queen Mary is now a living landmark and hotel in Long Beach, California. This week there will be several onboard events commemorating the 80th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

Produced by the Queen Mary, this excellent video gives us a unique glimpse into the illustrious era of the Queen Mary and Winston Churchill.