Saturday 31 January 2015

A meeting of the Greats (and one steals the limelight).



Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the funeral of Winston Churchill.

In memory of the great man, I am posting this 1954-ish picture from the British Embassy in Washington DC, where my late father-in-law was posted at the time.

In the bottom left hand corner of the photo is the future Lady Magnon, sitting on the base of a column; bored out of her mind. The world's photographers had a field-day.

Churchill later asked her if she'd enjoyed his speech. History records that she replied 'Yes'. The little minx lied; Churchill's thoughts on the matter are not known.



26 comments:

  1. A memorable photograph for your family. That's Anthony Eden on the right but do you know who it is in the middle?

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    1. We're not sure, but it is probably the ambassador. My late father-in-Law was behind the pillar. It must have been Suez era.

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  2. That is an amazing picture,Living the history without knowing it as a child.

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  3. What an amazing record of history to have in the family.

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  4. What a great picture and anecdote. Thanks for posting, Cro.

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  5. Great photo, great story Cro, I like the fact that Lady M was so polite and minxy :)
    Twiggy

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  6. How lovely to have this photo in your collection - a piece of history.

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  7. Can't boast any intimacy with Churchill but I was there at his funeral. Lady M must have some wonderful memor

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  8. Splendid photograph! I was brought up to believe that Churchill was perhaps the greatest hero in the world and when he died I felt that the world was just not the same without him in it! In 1954 I was a nine-year old living in the somewhat distant state of Vermont. But many years later when living in Washington, DC, I spent many hours at the British Embassy -- on the production team of the British Embassy Players when they did their annual Old Time Music Hall ...

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    1. You and Lady M must have just missed each other! How interesting.

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  9. Blimey - that's one for the great-grandchildren!

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  10. WOW Cro …. that's amazing. Do you know who took the photograph ? XXXX

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    1. Some press photographer. They were paying more attention to the bored child than to WC. Not what he'd planned.

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  11. What a wonderful family heirloom!

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  12. Lucky for him she lied.

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  13. Like little John John under JFK's desk...the child steals the show! Fabulous photo and piece of history.

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  14. Another example of the six degrees thingy...and a very cute photo.

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  15. All speeches, no matter how eloquent, are of no interest to a dear child. Now, if he had been talking about candy and fairies . . . It's a cute picture. How cool is it that she was there and had the evidence to prove it!

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  16. It is a great photograph. I am surprised if it has never been published somewhere.

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    1. I think versions of it probably did reach what were 'US red tops' of their day.

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  17. I think that's such a brilliant photo - Lady M - a diplomat even at that young age.

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  18. I think this photo was taken on 28th June 1954 during Churchill's informal visit to President Eisenhower between 25-29 June. The 28th was spent at the British Embassy in Washington before the entourage flew on to New York the next day.

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    1. Thank you Philip. I did have a small look on the web, but didn't get far. I shall note that on the back.

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