THE Duchess of Cornwall yesterday unveiled two unique memorials to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill.

At a special service at St Martin’s Church in Bladon – where Britain’s wartime prime minister was buried in 1965 – Camilla unveiled a new stained glass window with images and quotes associated with Sir Winston.

The Duchess then unveiled a bust of Sir Winston in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace.

Jamie Spencer Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, said he was delighted with the bust, one of only three created from the same mould by sculptor Oscar Nemon.

He said: “It’s impressive. That says it all really. It’s part of our legacy and of our English heritage. He was a wonderful figure.”

Churchill’s grandson Nicholas Soames, also present at the unveiling of the bust which stands next to the Temple of Diana folly, said: “I think it’s beautiful. Blenheim was such a huge part of his life. He was born here and proposed to my grandmother here.

“But the whole point is that people can see it and enjoy it.”

Earlier at the church where Sir Winston is buried next to his family, Marenka Roseby, who lives in Bladon, explained the mysterious moment that inspired her to suggest the idea for the Churchill window.

She said: “The church had formed a group with the idea of reaching out to the thousands of tourists who visit Churchill’s grave each year. We wanted to create a much bigger monument but didn’t know what to do.

“Then one day in the evening I was standing in the church actually asking Churchill what we should do. The sun was shining straight through the window and the rays were pointing straight over to his grave. It was in that moment that I knew what to do.”

The parochial church council raised £30,000 for the project and commissioned artist Emma Blount to create a suitable design.

As well as featuring key images such as Churchill’s famous cigar and his bow tie, the window shows St Martin, the patron saint of war and peace.

Mrs Roseby said: “It’s a message of courage and perseverance and about taking a stand when necessary. But above all the goal is peace. That has to be fought for and always preserved but you can lose it in a moment.

“Its a message we need to be reminded of today more than ever.”

Canon Adrian Daffern, who led the service at St Martin’s, said: “We take very seriously the responsibility as guardians of Sir Winston Churchill’s final resting place and we love to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to it each year, not only to see the grave but also to come and pray in the church.”

Pupils from Bladon Primary School lined the entrance to the church waving flags to welcome the Duchess.

Oxford Mail:
Memorial: The Duchess of Cornwall, pictured with Canon Adrian Daffern,  lays flowers at the grave of Sir Winston Churchill at St Martin’s Church, Bladon, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death

Teaching assistant Heath Stokes, whose son Harvey Stokes presented a bouquet of flowers to her on his 11th birthday, said: “I think they think she is like a princess from Disney’s Frozen.

“They all live so close to Churchill’s grave and they don’t think about it but today they will understand a little bit more. We are very lucky to have the palace so close to the school.”

Kathleen Cox, 82, whose husband Robert Cox was in the Army and on guard at Churchill’s funeral, said: “I haven’t seen an occasion like this since I’ve lived in the village. I was six when war broke out so it was part of my childhood. I have huge respect for Churchill.”