A few Winston Churchill related photos from Blenheim Palace.

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by Owen, May 7, 2012.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Had a very soggy day out at Blenheim Palace today.
    I havent been there since I was a teenager.
    Thought it'd be a good place for a family day out.
    Recently I've been reading aot about the 1st Duke of Marlborough & his campaigns and have looked for forward to visiting for awhile now.
    I thought I'd post up a few photos connected with Winston S Churchill.
    We saw the room where he was born but have no pics as photography not allowed inside the Palace itself.
    Did see where he proposed to Clematine .
    In the nearby Bladon churchyard we visited his grave .
    Had to hurry with those photos as lightning flashed overhead & a massive hailstorm started.

    Hope these are of interest.
     

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  2. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Always fancied a visit there, it's another site I have never got round to.
    Any idea there as to why Churchill didn't use his second name Leonard?
     
  3. SilverFox

    SilverFox Junior Member

    I was there at the end of March, and if you don't mind me adding to your thread, I have other pictures
     
  4. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Thought of visiting sometime. Thanks for the photos, Owen.
     
  5. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” WSC.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Feel free to add any comments & pictures SilverFox
    I havent a clue Mike.
    I will say if you do go make sure you turn your ticket into an annual pass with photo.
    We can go back now as many time as we like in the next year now for free.
    We plan to go on the hottest sunniest day of the year, whenever that will be.

    Here's some pics for Za.
    Battle of Blenheim in 6mm.
     

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  7. SilverFox

    SilverFox Junior Member

    The Churchyard is of typical English layout, as pictures show. The obvious main attraction is the family grave plot of the Churchill Family. As Owen’s pictures show, a plaque is present opposite the Churchill plot, on a seating area constructed by the Danish Resistance.
    Two note-worthy comments:
    Firstly, the tombstone of Winston L. Spencer Churchill and Clementine O Spencer Churchill is facing 180 degrees from all other tombstones and headstones within the graveyard. Whilst he was buried in Christian custom, with his head at the western point of the grave, for the benefit of visitors, the tombstone was placed with the head of it at the eastern point, making the inscriptions easier to read. I was informed of this when I asked during the visit.
    Secondly, towards the smaller exit from the church, lies the grave of 1100770 Private J Shayler, Pioneer Corps who died on 1st May 1944, the only CW grave in the cemetery.
     

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  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  9. SilverFox

    SilverFox Junior Member

    Yes I had seen that article. On the day I visited an elderly lady came to the grave, just before I took a photograph and put a sprig of spring blossum on the grave, she said she does this each time she is in the village. She had no thoughts on the grave itself, only that it has a flower on it as she believes him to be 'the greatest Englishman'. A common Englishwoman's comment, who lived through his greatest times, well that summed up my thoughts. May he R.I.P.
     
  10. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    What a great day it must have been! And thank you for the dedicated photos, much appreciated :)
     
  11. La-de-da-Gunner Graham

    La-de-da-Gunner Graham Senior Member

  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  13. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    There is plenty to be found on ww2talk regarding the great man.

    On a previous occasion I posted this little item from the the autobiography of George Kennard (Loopy) who was my last OC in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars.(I don't have to remind you that Churchill himself was our Hon.Colonel, as he had previously served in the Regiment)

    I think Loopy's tale is worth re-posting here:

    When Churchill was buried at Bladon the coffin was borne, by his request, by bearers from his own Regiment (The 4th QOH)
    Surrounded by his family, the quiet tranquility of these last rites was suddenly and distinctly broken by a loud tinkle. What the world does not know is that Sir Winston lies there now with Staff Sgt.Webb's Long Service & Good Conduct medal close to his heart. It had fallen off the Staff Sgt's tunic as the coffin was finally lowered into the grave
    .

    Ron
     
  14. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    My wife and I visited Blenheim Palace two or three years back, well worth a visit, it make a good day out.
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  16. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Owen

    Thanks for that !

    Ain't the internet wonderful ?

    Ron
     
  17. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Why was the headstone replaced instead of just cleaned? Surely it was marble or granite.

    Dave
     
  18. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    BBC - news article - from 6th May 2020 -
    Blenheim hosted secret D-Day landing craft tests

    "A series of photographs from private family albums have revealed Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace was used as a secret testing ground for landing craft in the run up to D-Day.

    The images show two amphibious vehicles being put through their paces on the picturesque lake at Blenheim Palace.

    They were tested as part of Operation Neptune, a British initiative to develop its own landing craft.

    The photos will feature in the palace's online celebrations for VE Day."
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
    Guy Hudson likes this.
  19. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Working at Blenheim Palace this weekend.
    Hadn't been since I was a kid.
    Pottered over to look at the monument/Column of Victory as it was close by, and what a remarkable thing.
    The epitaph & list of achievements; reasonably normal, but then to inscribe three almost complete acts of parliament in such a way is blatantly, overtly political in a way I've never encountered.
    The Duchess stating her case, given unusual succession acts and the actual struggle with the state over the house.

    Did think something like that might help form a chap like Churchill.
    It seems to me a massive 'F You!' to governments seen as somewhat slithery by throwing their own acts back at them. Bloody-minded, maybe somewhat unwise or petulant.
    Quite a thing to have in your life & family.

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