Winston Churchill was a British politician, army officer, and writer. He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 2 times. In this role, he led Britain to victory in the Second World War. Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He became a national hero during the First World War for his campaign writings and leadership as commander of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Early Life
Winston Churchill was born on November 30, 1874. He was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill and Jennie Jerome, the daughter of American millionaire Leonard Jerome. The Churchill family has been prominent in British politics for centuries. His grandfather, John Winston Spencer-Churchill, was a politician and historian. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill (1849–1895), was a Conservative politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Benjamin Disraeli; also his mother was an American socialite whose political views influenced her son’s career. Winston’s father died early in his life in the year 1895.
Winston Churchill was inspired by his father to start his political career. His first role in politics was as a Member of Parliament for Oldham in 1900. As a Member of Parliament, Churchill was active in debate, particularly during World War I. He also served as President of the Board of Trade, Home Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty.
Rising Through The Ranks
He also served as First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-1915). The Royal Navy’s job is to defend Britain’s shores against invasion, so Churchill was responsible for helping build up defenses along England’s coastline. He also oversaw all operations involving warships and submarines in British waters. In 1914, he advocated for an increase in naval spending so that Britain could compete with Germany on sea power; his warnings were ignored by his own government until it was too late.
After World War One ended in 1918, Winston returned to politics and did not want Britain to involve themselves in any more wars, especially after seeing so many young men die on the battlefields of Europe. However he also believed strongly that if anyone tried anything against Great Britain then they would face serious consequences!
Prime Minister
As prime minister at the beginning of WWII (1940) and he was a great wartime leader. He worked closely with Roosevelt and Stalin to create the alliance structure that won the war including coordination of strategy, conferences, military operations, and resource allocation among the Allies.
His speeches and radio broadcasts helped inspire British resistance, especially during the difficult days of 1940-41 when the British Commonwealth and Empire stood alone against Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany after the fall of France and before Soviet Russia began its major contribution to Allied victory in June 1941. Churchill led Britain as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill died at his London home on January 24, 1965. He received a state funeral at which almost the whole world paid tribute.
Banknotes Featuring Winston Churchill
Churchill is highly revered in British history and for this reason you can find portraits of him on certain banknotes. That is is a very high honor. The 50 Gibraltar pound banknote was withdrawn from circulation on August 31, 2011. When the note was introduced in 1995, it marked the 30th death anniversary of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II and the coat of arms of Gibraltar. The reverse features Prime Minister Churchill, four parked Spitfire airplanes, and a torch.
In addition you can find him on the polymer 5 Pound banknote. The obverse of the note displays a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the Bank of England logo, the National Emblem, and the Elizabeth Tower which is also known as Big Ben. The reverse features Sir Winston Churchill and the Houses of Parliament situated in London.