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Dr. Ronald Cohen, guest speaker at June 12, 2010 SWCSVI Gala Event, talked with Hudson Mack of "A" News about Winston Churchill before he left Ottawa for his Western Canada speaking tour:
Watch video here: "A" News Interview with Dr. Ronald Cohen
SWCSVI Director and historian, Chris Gainor, recounts Churchill's Visit to Victoria B.C. in 1929:
On Friday June 11, 2010 “A News” (Channel 12) of Victoria produced a segment on Winston Churchill’s visit to Victoria in 1929 based on the article by historian and Society director Chris Gainor that will be featured in SWCSVI's Summer Issue of the Roaring Lion Quarterly . News personality Shachi Kurl interviews Chris Gainor who appears in the character of Winston Churchill and highlights his trip to Victoria. Watch video:
Chris Gainor as SWC in 1929
Churchill Pleads with Eisenhower to Put Him on a Ship as Part of D-Day Invasion:
CASHIN'S COMMENTS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010 [AN ENCORE PRESENTATION]
(Editor's Note: The following historical note was originally presented by an old friend on the floor who is a military history buff. We didn't have time to research it ourselves but he swears it's true and, on the floor at least, your word is still your bond...so here goes a remarkable story.)
On this day (-1 approximately) in 1944, Winston Churchill called Dwight Eisenhower. The conversation went something like this: "Ike, I want you to put me on one of the ships to observe the invasion. We've waited so long for this moment. It will be a turning point in the history of all mankind. And, I can not send so many brave boys to meet danger or death without showing them I share some risk."
Ike replied something like - "Mr. Prime Minister, I understand your feelings completely. But you are such a symbol of the Allied cause that I cannot allow you to take the risk. If something happened to you, it would be a setback to the war effort no matter what fate we met on the beach."
Churchill threatened to call FDR but Ike said he would resign before letting Churchill board the invasion fleet.
Churchill then reminded Ike that he (Churchill) had once been First Lord of the Admiralty. Therefore, he said "I think I still have enough friends in the British Navy to get aboard some vessel whether you like it or not." The reply - "Perhaps, Mr. Prime Minister...but I assure you I shall do everything I can to prevent it."
Later that day, Ike took the unusual step of calling Windsor Castle. He asked to speak to George VI, the King of England. After excusing his own impertinence, Ike told the King that Churchill was being foolish and stubborn and that if anything happened to Churchill the war effort would suffer regardless of other events.
The King listened sympathetically. He agreed with every point Ike made. Then he said that after working with the Prime Minister for months, Ike must know that Churchill was clearly a very stubborn Englishman, who might well ignore an order even from his king on this matter.
Late that night the King called Churchill. "Winston, what's all this tomfoolery about you being on board the invasion fleet?" A stunned Churchill replied - "It's no tomfoolery, Your Majesty! We've worked so hard...suffered so much...historic moment in the history of mankind...brave boys at risk...etc, etc. It is no tomfoolery, Your Majesty, it is my solemn duty as Prime Minister!!"
The King paused a moment then replied - "You're right Winston! But if it is the solemn duty of the Prime Minister to be aboard, it is 10 times that duty for the King to be there...what ship do you suggest we sail on, Winston?"
It probably took Churchill a second or two to realize he had been outfoxed. Then he said, "You've made your point very well Your Majesty. We'll both await the news at home."
SWCSVI Media Release, May 14, 2010:
Release date May 14, 2010
Event Date June 12, 2010
Churchill’s words when he received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953: “I am proud, but also I must admit, awestruck at your decision to include me. I do hope you are right. I feel we are both running a considerable risk and that I do not deserve it. But I shall have no misgivings if you have none.”
"Winston Churchill: The Politician and His Pen" by Dr Ron Cohen on June 12 at SWCSVI Gala Event
(Victoria BC) Dr. Ronald Cohen, National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and author of the three-volume magnum opus, A Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, will be the Guest Speaker at this year’s Gala dinner, to be held Saturday, June 12 at the Union Club in Victoria, at 805 Gordon Street.
Ronald Cohen’s fascination with Churchill began while with The Economist in London, shortly after his graduation from Harvard University. He began collecting Churchilliana in 1969 and started working on this bibliography in 1981. The publication of this major work is the culmination of nearly 25 years’ dedicated research. Cohen is the National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a lawyer, founding Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, a Genie award-winning film producer, and Past President of the Friends of Library and Archives Canada.
The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar. The three-course-meal, which includes wine, will be served at 7:30 pm. Dress is black tie or business suit. Guests most welcome! For tickets see www.churchillvictoria.com or call Dan Munro 250-727-2830.
The Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island is devoted to ensuring the inspiration of this great global statesman, from the last century, will motivate even greater leadership today. Run by volunteers, the society provides events and activities for members and for the general public. For more info see www.churchillvictoria.com
Media contact:
Mayo McDonough mailto:mayomcd@shaw.ca
250.595.0008
Note: The cost for the Gala evening is $85 per person ($50 per student member). Please make cheques payable to Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island and mail to PO Box 2114 Sidney BC V8L 3S6 to be received no later than June 5, 2010.
Click thumbnail to view, download, or print Media Release pdf:
From Telegraph.co.uk, March 2, 2010:
Winston Churchill, who died today aged 69, never quite managed in 27 years as a Conservative MP to shrug off the burdens of having had the wartime leader as his grandfather and the ebullient, self-destructive Randolph Churchill for a father. Read more here
From Maclean's Magazine, February 22, 2010:
Rarely seen colour television footage of Sir Winston Churchill has been uncovered to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the college in his name at Cambridge University. (Telegraph.co.uk, October 17th, 2009) Watch it here
Churchill Foundation Awards 2009 UVic Scholarship
Cameron Loveless was selected to receive this year's Scholarship Award of $800 from the Sir Winston Churchill Foundation. In addition to his first-class academic record, Cameron has served as a coach and referee in various childrens' sports programmes, and was a volunteer helper at Saanich Peninsula Hospice. While studying at Camosun College, he was named to the Dean's List for academic excellence, then transferred to UVic.Cameron expressed his deep appreciation for being awarded the scholarship, saying, “The Winston Churchill Society has shown great generosity by investing in my future, and I thank all members for this honour.”
“This scholarship will help me to achieve my academic goals. I am a fourth year History student, and have recently been accepted to the Masters programme at the University of Victoria. My long-term goals are to either complete a Doctorate in History, or else go to Law School..In either case, I will go forward in part thanks to your support. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill was a truly great man, and your Society can be proud in perpetuating his memory among today's young Canadians.”
Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island Funds a Scholarship at University of Victoria First Recipient named in 2008
On December 14, 2007, the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island handed a cheque for $20,000 to the University of Victoria to fund an endowment for an annual award. The scholarship is intended for third or fourth-year History or Political Science students who best exemplify the character and qualities of Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. The first award was announced in April by the History Department at the University. Our Society is pleased to announce that it will go to History scholar, Randy Neville. Subsequent awards will alternate between History and Political Science students. It is hoped that this scholarship will encourage students to take leadership roles and keep interest in Winston Churchill alive at UVic. Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island is a not-for-profit Society incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia on March 15, 2006. The Foundation limits its activity solely to charitable works that will reflect the objectives of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. Those objectives are to stimulate an appreciation of history and, national and international affairs through the provision of educational scholarships, bursaries, prizes and awards, and to sponsor speeches, lectures, panel discussions and debates, in such a manner as to perpetuate the memory of the Right Honourable Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. The immediate focus of the Foundation is on Youth and Education. The Foundation is registered as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency and is therefore able to issue receipts for income tax purposes for all donations over $25. The Foundation has a brokerage account which enables donors to donate corporate shares listed on a stock exchange and thus take advantage of recent amendments to the Income Tax Act. The donor receives a receipt for the market value of the shares and is not required to take into income any capital gains on the disposition of the shares. Please contact the Treasurer of the Foundation for details. The officers of the Foundation for 2009/2010 are as follows:
President Sidney Allinson
Vice President Ray Travers
Secretary Aleck Trawick
Treasurer Nancy Vivian ph. 250-655-4773
Canada Post issues Churchill Stamp In 2008
Churchill Society Vancouver Island members and guests will remember the informative and entertaining account given by guest speaker, Dr. Maria Tippett at the April 2 Spring Reception and AGM, on Yousuf Karsh.. She had just published a book on Karsh and his amazing talent in photographing prominent figures, especially Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. This year, to mark the 100th anniversary of Karsh’s birth and to honour his work, Canada Post is issuing a set of three stamps. One of the stamps, (international rate $1.60), features his most famous portrait subject and the photograph that made Karsh famous.
The story is often told of how Karsh created his portrait of Churchill during the early years of World War II. Churchill, the British prime minister, had just addressed the Canadian Parliament in 1941 and Karsh was there to record one of the century's great leaders. "He was in no mood for portraiture and two minutes were all that he would allow me as he passed from the House of Commons chamber to an anteroom," Karsh wrote in Faces of Our Time. "Two niggardly minutes in which I must try to put on film a man who had already written or inspired a library of books, baffled all his biographers, filled the world with his fame, and me, on this occasion, with dread."
Churchill marched into the room scowling, "regarding my camera as he might regard the German enemy." His expression suited Karsh perfectly, but the cigar stuck between his teeth seemed incompatible with such a solemn and formal occasion. "Instinctively, I removed the cigar. At this the Churchillian scowl deepened, the head was thrust forward belligerently, and the hand placed on the hip in an attitude of anger."
The image captured Churchill and the Britain of the time perfectly — defiant and unconquerable. Churchill later said to him, "You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed." As such, Karsh titled the photograph, The Roaring Lion.
However, Karsh's favourite photograph was the one taken immediately after this one where Churchill's mood had lightened considerably and is shown much in the same pose, but smiling.
Churchill sunset painting sells in New York for $350,000
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Apl. 24, 2008.
NEW YORK - An auction company says a painting by Winston Churchill of a Moroccan sunset has sold for $350,000.
"Sunset Over the Atlas Mountains," a vibrant landscape painted in 1935 from Churchill's balcony at the Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, had been expected to bring at least $600,000 at the Bonhams New York auction house on Wednesday.
The company's website announced the sale but didn't say who bought the painting.
Churchill invited Roosevelt to travel with him to Marrakech after a conference in Casablanca in 1943 so he could experience the beautiful view for himself.
After Churchill's death in 1965, the 50x60-centimetre oil painting went to a daughter, who sold it to a private collector in Texas.
The collector sold it in 1992 to the family of the San Francisco owner who auctioned it Wednesday.
Churchill, who began painting for relaxation and loved working in brilliant colours, often did not sign his work, including "Sunset," so as not to influence judges, Bonhams European paintings specialist Malcolm Walker said.
"He was as good as an amateur artist will get," Walker said before the sale.
A 1948 Churchill painting, "Marrakech," depicting the city's gates against the backdrop of the Atlas mountains, sold at auction for about $950,000 in December 2007. Earlier that year, his painting "Chartwell Landscape with Sheep" sold for $2.06 million, a record for him.
© The Canadian Press, 2008
