Patrick Mooney Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 I have a photo in my collection of Major Jack Churchill, on his return from Turkey taken at St Omer in February 1916. Is this possibly a relative of Winston and where might I find out about more about his siblings? Puzzled on this side of the Atlantic... Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Mooney Posted 6 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 6 June , 2003 I posted too quickly...I easily found a reference to his brother John Strange (Jack) Churchill being born in Dublin on February 4, 1880, so he would have been 36 at the time the photo was taken in St. Omer. Now - for help on his military record??? Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Dodd Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 I have a QSA and 1914 Trio to first 15106 Tpr. J. Churchill 74th Coy. Imp. Yeo. that was the Dublin company and then RTS-2413 Strpr. J. Churchill ASC I know it can't be Jack Churchill but does anyone want to make my year ! by saying he is some relation even though he is such a low rank Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 A Major Jack Churchill was indeed Winston's brother although I understand there has been some debate in years past as to whether Randolph Churchill was Jack's father. Probably the work of gossip mongerers but possibly this is of interest to you all the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Mooney Posted 6 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 6 June , 2003 Interesting that he is rumored to be a "sprog" of the Churchill clan. His photo (which I don't have by me at the moment but will post) bears a striking resemblance to the man himself. I have found nothing in the research that mentions the scandalous aspect - all the better. Does anyone know what regiment he was in? the photo is of him almost in profile or 3/4 turned, so his badges are not visible. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 Patrick Major John (Jack) Churchill of the Royal Oxfordshire Hussars was on Sir Ian Hamilton's staff at Gallipoli as his camp commandant and he was the only one of Hamilton's original staff to set off for Gallipoli with some active service if France already under his belt. According to Michael Hickey (page 317) however, he did not make a good job of it (running the camp). It's possible that Hamilton saw him as a useful backdoor route to get points across to his brother, the First Lord of the Admiralty. re your last point; Compton Mackenzie describes him as a beefy man with round cheeks, which rather fits in with a general picture which we all have of a Churchill Regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 I have a QSA and 1914 Trio to first 15106 Tpr. J. Churchill 74th Coy. Imp. Yeo. that was the Dublin company and then RTS-2413 Strpr. J. Churchill ASC I know it can't be Jack Churchill but does anyone want to make my year ! by saying he is some relation even though he is such a low rank Conor - You could try contacting Bletchley Park. They have a big interest in Winston Churchill, you never know, they might be able to help. e-mail: info@bletchleypark.org.uk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armourersergeant Posted 6 June , 2003 Share Posted 6 June , 2003 I know its along way off but those interested there is a book being written for publishing in 2005 that studies Winston and Jack Churchill this link gives some info on one of the authors www.firstworldwar.bham.ac.uk/leecelia.htm Arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 19 June , 2003 Share Posted 19 June , 2003 Apologies All, After consulting the ever helpful Kate Wills, I think that the historian whom I quoted earlier was probably mistaken regarding the correct title of Jack Churchill's regiment. In 1915 it would have been known as the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars (the 'Royal' was dropped earlier in the nineteenth century) Regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 23 June , 2003 Share Posted 23 June , 2003 The history of of the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars contains several references to Major Jack Churchill, and Winston too. Jack was a stockbroker who had fought in the Boer War with the South African Light Horse. By 1914 he was 2/ic D (Banbury) Squadron of the QOOH. Prior to disembarkation Jack rang the Admiralty several times requesting a long list of equipment, and “the real cause of our delay in starting was the non-arrival of the special train containing all the transport, swords and equipment which were to be sent down by the Admiralty”. The Regimental History also recouts this incident: "On the 29th September the Naval Division moved inland to Cassel, 19+ miles away, and the Regiment went on to Hazebrouck, 5 miles farther south, a town of about 12,000 inhabitants, 28 miles W.N.W. of Lille, and a railway junction of great strategical importance. On arrival at Hazebrouck the Regiment was met by a priest, who informed them that the advanced guard of “D” Squadron had been taken by the inhabitants for Germans. He was introduced to the officers, and on meeting Major Churchill said, “Are you the son of the man who made a great speech about ‘Trust the people’? “On being answered in the affirmative, he began quoting Lord Randolph Churchill’s speech at length. It was then discovered that the priest was the Abbé Lemire, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, and a considerable personality in the district." Major Churcill did see two months action in France, but in November was appointed 2/ic of a training camp near St Omer. However the family kept close contact with the QOOH. One day in the summer of 1918 Winston “dropped down from the sky in an aeroplane” on his way to GHQ at Montreuil and lunched with Regimental HQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FRANKBARTHOLOMEW Posted 19 July , 2003 Share Posted 19 July , 2003 In late 1918, Jack Churchill was a Major, on the Staff of the 47th Division. I have a picture of him watching the troops of the division marching (through St. Omer?)- and his reverred brother is stood next to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FRANKBARTHOLOMEW Posted 21 July , 2003 Share Posted 21 July , 2003 In late 1918, Jack Churchill was a Major, on the Staff of the 47th Division. I have a picture of him watching the troops of the division marching (through St. Omer?)- and his reverred brother is stood next to him. Sorry, the photograph was taken in Lille. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 21 July , 2003 Share Posted 21 July , 2003 Major Jack S Churchill was the father-in-law of Anthony Eden Foreign Secretary and then Prime Minister of Britain in the 1940s to 1950s. British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden (55), whose first marriage was dissolved on June 8, 1950, would shortly marry Miss Clarissa Spencer-Churchill (32), the niece of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Miss Spencer-Churchill, daughter of the late Major Jack Spencer Churchill, the Premier's only brother — "the Churchill nobody knew". Major Spencer Churchill died in 1947, aged 67. Jack Churchill was Winston's younger brother. He was wounded at the Battle of Spionkop in the Boer War and invalided home shortly afterwards. A book on his life is: Jack Churchill "Unlimited Boldness" Author: King-Clark, Rex ISBN: 1873907060 Format:paperback Price:£ 5.00 Publisher: Fleur de Lys Knutsford, Cheshire - UK Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FRANKBARTHOLOMEW Posted 22 July , 2003 Share Posted 22 July , 2003 Thanks Malcolm, I always wondered if Clarissa Churchill was related to the 'Great One' himself. That was after I read Ted Heath's memoirs and came across Mrs. Eden's maiden name in the index. Funnily enough, Winnie and Eden were already related- they're both descended from Edward III. Frank Bartholomew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now