Churchill: History in an Hour. Andrew Mulholland

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       School

      By now the Churchills had moved back to London, rehabilitated into the political elite. Randolph’s career was beginning to take off, as he became one of the most effective opponents of the Liberal government. Naturally, he expected great things of his eldest son. Winston’s first school was at Ascot, in Berkshire. This was a private ‘Preparatory’ school, from which the offspring of the wealthy were expected to move up to one of the country’s prestigious ‘Public’ schools – also private institutions, ‘public’ only in that they were open to those members of the public with sufficient means to pay their fees.

      He did not take well to the rigid discipline. Homesick, but also rebellious and stubborn, Winston was moved shortly afterwards, on the ground of ill health. He fared little better at his second Prep school, although by now he was doing well in those subjects that genuinely interested him – chiefly History and English.

      From 1888 he was accepted at Harrow, where although hardly an exemplary student, he did begin to mature and performed well in several areas. His love of all things military drew him to the school cadet force, and turned his mind to a career in the army. In fact, it was his father, who had noted Winston’s fascination with toy soldiers, who had suggested that the boy join the ‘Army Class’ – a special stream at the school for those aiming for a military career. Still disappointed in his son, Randolph also suspected that Winston was not clever enough for university.

      He continued to enjoy the humanities and particularly writing, in which he was now beginning to show some flair. It was not nearly enough for his father, however. Their relationship was formal and frosty. Winston decided to apply for officer training at Sandhurst but faced a tough entrance examination. Finally securing a place at his third attempt, his father’s reaction was scathing rather than supportive. Yet in qualifying, Winston had shown considerable determination and application. Perhaps there was something more to this young man than his father was prepared to admit.

       Sandhurst

      It was at Sandhurst that Winston Churchill began to achieve a measure of success. The emphasis on military subjects, together with horsemanship, appealed. He also emerged as an opinionated young man, capable of influencing and leading those around him. While still at Sandhurst, he organized a colourful demonstration in support of the prostitutes in London’s theatres, who at the time were the victims of segregation and persecution. When he eventually ‘passed out’ from Sandhurst at the end of 1894, he was eighth in a class of 150. This would easily have earned him a place in one of Britain’s elite infantry regiments, but instead he elected to stick with his original choice, the cavalry. Before he could launch his career by joining the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars in January 1895, his father was dead.

      The death of Randolph Churchill at 45 left a profound scar on Winston. Although Randolph had lived to see his son succeed at Sandhurst, the issues between them were unresolved. Randolph’s later years had been difficult. What may have been an undiagnosed brain tumour had gradually impaired his mental and oral faculties, to the extent that his final speeches in Parliament were embarrassing. Having combined the high offices of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House in 1886, Randolph Churchill ended his career as a humble backbencher, laughed at and ineffectual. Winston concluded that the men died early in his family. From now on, he would throw everything he had at life. In this we see an early glimpse of his belief in ‘fate’ – that some things were simply meant to be. Already, he saw the army only as a stepping stone; for he was now considering a career both as a writer and as a politician in the House of Commons.

       The 4th Hussars: 1895–1899

      The army was to provide a springboard for adventure and fame to the young Winston Churchill. Ultimately, though, he would quickly tire of it and seek broader vistas. For life as a second lieutenant in a British cavalry regiment would not be enough for one of his making.

      

       The young cavalry officer: the 4th Hussars, 1895.

      He sought excitement, adventure and public attention; he also sought money. Although he enjoyed a generous allowance from his mother as well as his officer’s salary, Churchill concluded that these would not be sufficient to support his extravagant lifestyle. He therefore offered his services to the Daily Graphic as a war correspondent. This may seem odd for someone supposedly engaged full time in the army, but in those more relaxed days it was not difficult for a man of Churchill’s connections to secure leave of absence. He would travel to Cuba. For it was there that the Spanish government was attempting to suppress an armed revolt by nationalists fighting for independence.

      Churchill went with his friend Reginald Barnes and on his way he visited the USA for the first time. He stayed in New York, with a friend of his mother’s. This was Bourke Cockran, a prominent Democrat member of the House of Representatives. If Churchill’s notion of becoming a politician was hazy on his arrival in New York, by the time he left it had become a fixed ambition. Cockran’s fiery rhetoric, political connections and dinner-table discussions enthused the young journalist.

      He was also enthused and fascinated by war. For Churchill, it was the ultimate expression of the competition between nations, but also a romantic adventure. His early exposure to its realities, however, was to temper such notions and imbue him with a strong sense of compassion for those who suffered its consequences. In Cuba he was shot at for the first time, on his twenty-first birthday. He found the Cuban rebels amateurish, but had little respect either for the Spanish army or its conduct. Overall, he seems to have enjoyed himself: writing colourful despatches for the Graphic, and developing a lifelong passion for Cuban cigars.

       India

      Back in England he was dismayed to be posted to Bangalore, India, with the rest of his regiment. India held little appeal for him, primarily as he saw it as a backwater. Once there, he spent much of his time devouring the British press, following the issues back home with more interest than he did those on the Subcontinent. Nonetheless, the army was there for a purpose and Churchill determined to involve himself in military action wherever he could. On learning of an expedition against rebellious Pashtun tribesmen on the Northwest Frontier, Churchill pestered his superiors for an attachment to the force. He finally got his way, and also a contract to write about it for London’s Daily Telegraph.

      The experiences were to form the basis of Churchill’s first book, The Story of the Malakand Field Force, which he was to publish in 1898. War on the frontier was tough. Churchill saw a friend cut down in front of him and had to be given a direct order to leave his stricken comrade as the rest of the regiment retreated. He wrote about the blanket-wrapped corpses who, only hours before, had been proud soldiers of the Queen-Empress. Brave as well as compassionate, Churchill was now an experienced and capable cavalry officer.

      It was intellectual training, though, which was to prove the more important achievement of his time in India. Despite the excitement of the frontier war, Churchill actually spent most of his days at the barracks in Bangalore. He was acutely aware that he had not been to university, and that this might be held against his ambitions for high office. He was also anxious to develop and improve his written style. With the encouragement of his mother, he set about a systematic programme of self-education which was to remedy these shortcomings. Once again, Churchill was to show determination and self-discipline. As with many challenges in his life, his approach may not have been conventional, but he was ultimately successful. Lady Randolph would send bundles of books to her son, and he would set aside several hours СКАЧАТЬ