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He felt he was born for a purpose – Churchill’s granddaughter
Published: 06 May, 2010, 11:43
Edited: 09 May, 2010, 09:10
TAGS: Military, UK, Interview, History
A few days ahead of the VE-day anniversary, Celia Sandys, Winston Churchill’s granddaughter, gave RT an insight into what kind of man her granddad, the key wartime politician, was.
Ms Sandys says she was too small to remember VE-day, but later heard a lot about what it meant to her grandfather.
“He [Churchill] must have been feeling, on the one hand, incredibly relieved, incredibly pleased and, presumably, incredibly proud of what he’d achieved. But at the same time he had concerns, because he wasn’t completely satisfied with the way everything had turned out,” says Ms Sandys.
Foreign policy in those days was a tricky game dictated by the wartime necessities.
Under the circumstances, Churchill, a life-long anti-communist, had to make friends with Stalin, which his granddaughter called “an uneasy alliance.”
Wooing the US to help the anti-fascist effort was a top priority for the British PM, who was well-aware that Britain would not prevail in the war without American help.
“No mistress has ever been wooed so carefully by her lover,” quotes Ms Sandys her grandfather’s words.
However, after the war was over, Churchill felt let down by both of his former allies. With a lack of support from the US, he had to witness Eastern Europe going under the control of the USSR, which was one of the greatest disappointments of his last years.
“He was sidelined by Roosevelt, who was extraordinarily weak at this stage, because he was very ill at that stage. He then was flirting with Stalin. Stalin, who was very powerful, obviously saw the way to get what he wanted”, says Ms Sandys.
Despite his role in WWII, Churchill was defeated in 1945 general election. Ms Sandys said that the victory of the Socialists was logical, as they promised a peaceful life to the people, who were tired of war. The news came as a shock to her granddad.
“My grandmother said, ‘Oh, well, Winston, this may prove to be a blessing in disguise,’ to which he replied, ‘If so, it is very effectively disguised,’ remembers Ms Sandys.
But a few days later, he was on a painting holiday enjoying himself.
“He wasn’t someone who would hold back on what was gone. He wanted to move on,” says Churchill’s granddaughter.
After all, it was his family that was “the heart” of Winston Churchill. He himself had been brought up by his Nanny, whom he adored, and he didn’t get much attention from his parents.
“His favorite thing was to look around the dining table and see as many of his children and grandchildren there as possible,” remembers Ms Sandys.
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In the late 1920ies and early 1930ties when UK was not yet threatened by Germany and Italy Winston Churchill PUBLICLY praised both Italian fascism as well as German Nazism for their anti-communist policies. Speaking about Benito Mussolini W. Churchill said: "What a man! I have lost my heart!... Fascism has rendered a service to the entire world... If I were Italian, I am sure I would have been with you entirely from the beginning of your victorious struggle against the bestial appetites and passion of Leninism." Speaking about Adolf Hitler W. Churchill said: "There must not be lacking in our leadership something of that spirit of the Austrian corporal" "Those who have met Hitler face to face in public, business, or on social terms, have found a highly competent, cool, well-informed functionary with an agreeable manner, a discerning smile, and few have been unaffected by a subtle personal magnetism."
"Under the circumstances, Churchill, a life-long anti-communist, had to make friends with Stalin, which his granddaughter called 'an uneasy alliance.'" This statement by Churchill's granddaughter sounds pretty dubious. Not only Churchill was an irredeemable anti-communist, he was also a lifelong enemy of Stalin. The favor was returned, of course. Churchill was a cajoler and first class liar. He caused an irreparable damage to peace before as well as after WWII. He was a prime warmonger of the British Empire since he was in his twenties. I am not surprised to hear her granddaughter say that this man's greatest disappointment was that he could not cause more damage to other people.
In the late 1920ies and early 1930ties when UK was not yet threatened by Germany and Italy Winston Churchill PUBLICLY praised both Italian fascism as well as German Nazism for their anti-communist policies. Speaking about Benito Mussolini W. Churchill said: "What a man! I have lost my heart!... Fascism has rendered a service to the entire world... If I were Italian, I am sure I would have been with you entirely from the beginning of your victorious struggle against the bestial appetites and passion of Leninism." Speaking about Adolf Hitler W. Churchill said: "There must not be lacking in our leadership something of that spirit of the Austrian corporal" "Those who have met Hitler face to face in public, business, or on social terms, have found a highly competent, cool, well-informed functionary with an agreeable manner, a discerning smile, and few have been unaffected by a subtle personal magnetism."