Somewhat dovetailing here. When my mother died and we were driving to the cemetery we drove by some people standing at the streetlight and I just happened to look out my window, an older gentleman stopped walking took off his hat and placed it over his heart as we passed. He didn't know us but this small touching act brings me to tears even today.
Ok, John, it was moving in the same way that we use the cranes on our fire engines to salute fallen policemen and firefighters. But kind of different from the crane that just died. Just sayin'
Like Cro M above, I'm old enough to easily remember watching the entire several hours of the procession (to and from St Paul's) and the whole service on TV (only in b/w then, of course). Later, I even bought the two memorial special issue LPs of the cathedral service.
Actually the lowering of those cranes, looking such a majestic tribute now, was loaded with controversy at the time. There was a hell of a tussle with the dockers unions whose leaders absolutely refused, right up to the very day, to concede to PM Harold Wilson's request to make the gesture, they viewing Churchill as an ideological enemy ('anti-labour', 'warmonger' etc). I remember the tension on the day when nobody was really sure until the last moment whether they were going to do it - and relief all round that they eventually did. I think that particular aspect has now been muted in significance by passing time, though it did get a bit ugly then.
This reminds me of the arguments when the Buckingham Palace flag wasn't flown at half-mast when Diana died because, we were told, it doesn't fly at half-mast even when the monarch dies. Then when the flag was eventually lowered it 'accidentally' got stuck half-way for a few seconds. I like to think it was a tiny gesture from someone in tune with the public.
oh I gasped when you wrote the about pinning last fold of the sheet and saying 'good night' from your last post. having been at the death of quite a few family members (the first at age 10 with my disabled sister, alone) death has a great significance for me. it is the most precious and honourable time of life, in my opinion. thank you for that post x
I haven't seen the clip but sounds moving. I think it's lovely people stop and bow or hold hats to hearts at funeral processions. Sadly we've had two funerals of young people this week in our community. Car crash. My daughter was also in the car so it's very close to home:(
On that day, I was being fitted out for a bridesmaid dress in a posh department store, Manchester I think. My chewing gum fell out and rolled across the carpet. I was mortified - so was my Mum. I wondered later that afternoon why all the adults were in tears watching the telly. I love the cranes dipping in honour - what a tribute to a real statesman.
Cold chills!!!
ReplyDeleteHe was one of my heroes.
Good golly, Miss Molly, I was the first!!!! Do I get a prize?
ReplyDeleteSend me your address and I'll send u one
DeleteWhat a tribute. He so deserved it.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat dovetailing here.
When my mother died and we were driving to the cemetery we drove by some people standing at the streetlight and I just happened to look out my window, an older gentleman stopped walking took off his hat and placed it over his heart as we passed.
He didn't know us but this small touching act brings me to tears even today.
cheers, parsnip
Gayle
DeleteMy grandfather told me once to always stop in front of a funeral procession
" stop and bow your head" he said
And I always do that to this day
Churchill - the man or the legend? People forget.
ReplyDeleteShivers down my spine.
ReplyDeleteOk, John, it was moving in the same way that we use the cranes on our fire engines to salute fallen policemen and firefighters. But kind of different from the crane that just died. Just sayin'
ReplyDelete?????? Just saying what?
DeleteGoosebumps.
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen any footage of Churchill's funeral procession. That is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I remember it so well.
ReplyDeleteLike Cro M above, I'm old enough to easily remember watching the entire several hours of the procession (to and from St Paul's) and the whole service on TV (only in b/w then, of course). Later, I even bought the two memorial special issue LPs of the cathedral service.
ReplyDeleteActually the lowering of those cranes, looking such a majestic tribute now, was loaded with controversy at the time. There was a hell of a tussle with the dockers unions whose leaders absolutely refused, right up to the very day, to concede to PM Harold Wilson's request to make the gesture, they viewing Churchill as an ideological enemy ('anti-labour', 'warmonger' etc). I remember the tension on the day when nobody was really sure until the last moment whether they were going to do it - and relief all round that they eventually did. I think that particular aspect has now been muted in significance by passing time, though it did get a bit ugly then.
This reminds me of the arguments when the Buckingham Palace flag wasn't flown at half-mast when Diana died because, we were told, it doesn't fly at half-mast even when the monarch dies. Then when the flag was eventually lowered it 'accidentally' got stuck half-way for a few seconds. I like to think it was a tiny gesture from someone in tune with the public.
DeleteI believe it was Prince Charles who insisted on the state funeral for Diana and the flag at half-mast.
DeleteIncredibly moving.
ReplyDeleteoh I gasped when you wrote the about pinning last fold of the sheet and saying 'good night' from your last post.
ReplyDeletehaving been at the death of quite a few family members (the first at age 10 with my disabled sister, alone) death has a great significance for me.
it is the most precious and honourable time of life, in my opinion.
thank you for that post
x
I also thought it was a brilliant gesture. I have a letter from Winston Churchill - he replied to mine wishing him a happy 80th birthday!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the clip but sounds moving. I think it's lovely people stop and bow or hold hats to hearts at funeral processions. Sadly we've had two funerals of young people this week in our community. Car crash. My daughter was also in the car so it's very close to home:(
ReplyDeleteWhich of today's politicians will get such a tribute?
ReplyDeleteI watched it live when I was a kid - in black and white. I think Margaret Thatcher was rather hoping for something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tribute! And he was a truly great man....he gave much.
ReplyDeleteSo powerful!
ReplyDeleteI can remember we had the day off school for the funeral and we watched it on our B&W TV.
ReplyDeleteOn that day, I was being fitted out for a bridesmaid dress in a posh department store, Manchester I think. My chewing gum fell out and rolled across the carpet. I was mortified - so was my Mum. I wondered later that afternoon why all the adults were in tears watching the telly. I love the cranes dipping in honour - what a tribute to a real statesman.
ReplyDeleteEven though I know the story behind the dipping of the cranes, it still gave me goosebumps watching it.
ReplyDeleteI remember it. And Radio 1 played non stop sombre music all day when he died without any speaking.
ReplyDeleteIt always has that effect on me too. Off topic, if the small ships and Dunkirk are ever mentioned that sets me off too.
ReplyDeleteTwiggy