Here we have a picture of young Winston Churchill with his mother and brother John.
What was Churchill's childhood like? Click the button below to read on how Richard Dimbleby explains Churchill's childhood.
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Winston's FamilyOn November 30, 1874 in Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born. As his father was born as the youngest son of the seventh Duke of Marlborough, Winston and his family would often stay at Blenheim Palace. Due to both parents being busy with high society and careers, Winston and his brother John, were taken into care of their nanny.
For young Winston, he was the type of student who was independent, rebellious, and always seeking trouble. |
Joining the ArmyHere we have a picture of Winston Churchill at the age of eighteen.
Click the button below to read more on Winston's military experience.
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Winston wasn't the best student at school; he did poorly at the first two schools he attended. By the age of eighteen, Winston's father decided to have Winston pursue a career in the military. After three tries in passing the entrance exam to the British Royal Military College, Winston passed the exam. He scored just enough for him to be admitted to the Cavalry, but not quite the Infantry. His father had high hopes that his son would enter an infantry career but was disappointed. Winston took his education there seriously and graduated 20th out of 130 in his class. Unfortunately in 1895, Lord Randolph died before Winston can prove to himself to his father.
After the death of his father, Winston entered the Fourth Hussars. During his time in the army, not only was he serving as a soldier but he was also writing his experiences during the war. He wrote military reports for a few newspapers, and was wrote two books on his experiences in war. |
Second Boer War |
On October 11, 1899, the Boer Republics declared war on Britain. Churchill decided to make his way to South Africa to collect information in regards of the conflict. He was ambushed on a train on November 15th. He was taken into captivity in Pretoria. On December 12th, he took a chance to escape once the guards had their backs turned. He climbed over the prison wall, jumped into a passing train, hid among the sacks inside at night. His experience of escaping made him a famous hero in Durban and back in Britain.
Above is a picture of Winston Churchill on a horse during his escape from a prison camp.
Click the button below to learn more on Churchill's capture, captivity, imprisonment, and escape.