WSC's Tree

Hello readers,

I apologize for not writing in so long. Today, I'm writing about the gathering-for celebration sounds inappropriate-of WSC's death on the 24 of January. It was held in Beacon Hill Park at the site where he planted a tree in 1929. There was a toast and a raffle in which I won a collection of books by Sir Winston. All in all, a very enjoyable afternoon.

Until the AGM,

Kieran Wilson.

Birthday Lunch

Good day everyone,

The 30th of last month was Sir Winston's birthday. So, in celebration, the society held a luncheon on the 29th at the Royal Colwood Golf Club. I, of course, attended. It was a good time to be had by all with a good buffet and an even better speaker. I ate more lunch that day than I have in my whole life. The speaker spoke about the Dardenelles disaster. He had slides and all the works. He said how the Dardenelles failed because of a number of factors other than bad planning. (Winston's idea really fudged up somewhere.)

Until next time,

Kieran Wilson.

D-Day plus 3 of the Churchill Conference continued

Sorry for my cliff-hanger, everyone. As I was saying: At the Birthday Dinner on Friday night I was given the honour of going up to the podium and wishing Lady Soames Happy Birthday. I found out that I would be doing this just before dessert, 20 minutes before the fact! Any way when I got up I said, and I quote: "Lady Soames, fellow Churchillians. I haven't prepared anything because I haven't had time,"-laughter from the crowd-"Lady Soames, on behalf of everyone here, I would like to wish you a very Happy Birthday."-much applause from the crowd- Then I took my seat.

After much receiving of gifts and Birthday wishes, Lady Soames had just enough time before I left to sign a book for me and get our photograph taken for the Finest Hour magazine all in all, it was a great trip.

Bye-Bye for now!

D-Day plus 3 of the Churchill Conference

Yesterday was the last day of the conference. It is now Saturday morning and I'm going to write about the Gala Dinner on Thursday night and the Birthday Dinner last night where I met Lady Soames.

During the Gala dinner a man named Charles was my chaperon. He is a very nice man and we had a few good laughs. The dinner was delicious and very filling. Here is the menu:

Seared Tuna in Sesame Seed and Black Pepper Crust

Bundle of Greens and Spicy Prawns

Mango Citrus Vinaigrette

followed by

Grilled Fillet of Beef Tenderloin with Shiraz Wine Reduction

Roasted Balsamic Portobello Mushrooms

Herb and Parmesan Potato Gratin

Granville Market Fresh Vegetables

followed by

Orange Creme Brulee with Star Anise and Phyllo Crisp

followed by

Coffee and Tea

As you can see it was quite delicious indeed. You have seen the pictures of the Gala Dinner so you know I had a good time with the people at my table.

However it was the Birthday Dinner that took the cake. Ha Ha. I was given the honour of...STAY TUNED!

D-Day plus 2 of the Churchill Conference

Today was a very short day as far as seminars went. There was only two before lunch and the students of Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School were present for the morning. As you have seen, I enjoyed myself at the Gala dinner last night. I will talk about it more later. I am also looking forward to the birthday dinner for Lady Soames tonight. I also hope to meet her. I will also talk more about that later. I am very tired so this entry is very brief. I will talk more about everything tomorrow.
Write to you later!

D-Day plus 1 of the Churchill Conference

Today was the first day of seminars. We had an array of speakers. One man talked about how Churchill thought that there was almost no possibility of a war with Japan and that sending more soldiers to southern Asia was a bad idea. Also, he said a build-up would cause tax hikes and would lead to a Labour government.

Next a man talked about the defence of Hong Kong. Churchill and others believed that the defence of Hong Kong was a lost cause, impossible to defend. However, the Royal Navy saw Hong Kong as a key asset in the war against Japan. They proposed to send more troops, but Churchill wanted less, not more. However, 2000 Canadian troops were sent to Hong Kong. They hoped this would be a deterrent to stop the Japanese going to war.

Then we had a coffee break and I had a cup of tea. I met several interesting people including a brief encounter with Lady Soames, Churchill's daughter. Then I was off to the next session. Up next was a debate about whether Singapore had to fall to Japanese forces.

The first speaker argued that Singapore had to fall. He deemed it tactically indefensible. Many, including Churchill, thought that Singapore was an impenetrable fortress. However, this was not the case.

The list of speakers continues, but I do not, for that list is very long.

The conference was very fun and exciting and the Fairmont is lovely.
So long for now! Check back for photos of this evening's black tie affair!

D-Day minus 1 of the Churchill Conference

I am sitting in the Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay in Victoria eagerly awaiting the nine o’clock to Tsawwassen. This is the first entry of many that will be posted on this blog regarding the 24th International Churchill Conference which is being held in Vancouver, Canada.
I will have an early start tomorrow because “sign-in” is at 8:30 am and the first seminar is soon to follow. It will be good to see some old friends from Victoria as well as some from Vancouver whom I met at the Gala Dinner this spring. I am also excited to meet new people and hopefully meet Lady Soames, Churchill’s daughter, who will be present at the conference.
I hope to have breakfast with my Mum at the Fairmont before the commencement of the festivities. If you are there, try to find me. I will be the only one not able to have a brandy with the boys.