Day Winston Churchill called into Preston 75 years ago

Seventy five years ago Winston Churchill travelled to Preston to join the campaign trail for his son Randolph who was defending his Preston seat at the general election.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945
Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945

Cheering, tumultuous crowds welcomed Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Preston.

From the time he was greeted at the Five Barred Gate, in Samlesbury, until he gave the Lancashire Post his farewell message to Lancashire on a railway siding outside of Garstang station two hours later, the tour was a resounding tribute to Mr Churchill.

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His message was: “This tour has been perhaps the most impressive experience of my life. Not only the enthusiasm of the crowds, but the spirit of the individuals who have greeted me all along the way have been most inspiring. To Lancashire I say: All vote and vote National - and naturally I want Preston to vote for my son.”

Official invite to the Harris Library for the visit of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Preston on June 27, 1945Official invite to the Harris Library for the visit of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Preston on June 27, 1945
Official invite to the Harris Library for the visit of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Preston on June 27, 1945

Arriving in an open car from Samlesbury with the familiar smile on his face, he stood in the car waving his equally familiar square-topped bowler acknowledging the cheers of the crowds gathered along the roadside.

For an hour before his arrival the weather was gloomy, but as he crossed the borough boundary the sun broke through and shone bravely. Women and children cheered and waved lustily as the Prime Minister’s car, escorted by a procession of police and Press cars, wove its way along Blackpool Road, Deepdale Road and into Watling Street Road.

At times the crowds pressed into the roadway, forcing Mr Churchill’s car to a crawl, and there were shouts of, “Good Old Winnie,” and “Good for you, old timer.” In reply the Prime Minister gave a more vigorously wave of his bowler and gesticulated also with his cigar.

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Through the thicker crowds along Garstang Road the car moved to the Moor Park Bowling Club and swung inside where 500 people waited outside the clubhouse. Mr Churchill, speaking from his car through a microphone, made a brief speech and indulged in a fatherly quip or two at the expense of his son, Randolph.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945
Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a crowd gathered on Prestons Flag Market from the steps of the Harris Library on June 27, 1945

There was a hitch when Mr Churchill was ready to leave Moor Park. His car refused to start, and in spite of the efforts of his son and a party of perspiring helpers, who pushed it for 200 yards along Moor Park Avenue, the engine remained dead.

Mr Churchill and his wife, Clementine, transferred to another, smaller car and Major Churchill, still mopping his brow as he apologised for his father, left Moor Park for the biggest thrill of all - the drive through massed crowds up to the Market Square, where about 10,000 people, many of whom had been waiting four hours, greeted him with resounding cheers.

The first enthusiasts had taken up their positions on the steps of the war memorial soon after 3pm and brought their tea with them. Late, others came straight from work, forgoing their meal. By 7pm the crowd stretched in an almost unbroken line from the Post Office to the Guild Hall, a solid mass of people eagerly and patiently awaiting the Prime Minister’s arrival.

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There were people at every vantage point, one of the best views being obtained from the roof of the Miller Arcade and balcony of the Guild Hall immediately overlooking the steps of the Free Library.

Flags and favours found a ready sale and most women contrived to introduce a touch of red, white and blue into their dress scheme. As the party appeared in the doorway a great cheer went up and was sustained for several moments.

The Prime Minister, smoking the inevitable cigar, gave the V sign and smilingly acknowledged the cheers of the crowd. In a 20 minute address, full of typical Churchillian wisdom and humour, the Prime Minister called on the people to “persevere and finish the job”.

“You probably know,” he began, “what I have come here about,” adding, amid laughter, “there is an election on.”

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Mr Churchill was loudly cheered when he said: “We are the only unbroken nation to stay the course from start to finish, and which early attacked the foul cancer which Hitler started and would probably have spread all over Europe.”

We must stand by the Americans to the end whatever the cost, he declared. After the singing of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and the National Anthem the Churchills left.

This article was first published on June 28, 1945. Randolph Churchill lost his Preston seat at the general election the following month.