Description
This archive footage shows how Malta mourned the death of Sir Winston Churchill.
The wartime leader and former British Prime Minister passed away at home in London on 24 January 1965. He was 90 years old and had suffered a series of strokes, and it had been apparent for some time that his life was drawing to a close.
Flags flew at half mast across Malta and Gozo, on government buildings, police stations, on military bases such as RAF Luqa, HMS St Angelo, the British Army headquarters at Castille in Valletta and in every town and village. The news made the front pages of every newspaper in Malta.
Churchill’s health had been in decline at least since he suffered a major stroke in 1953.
The Queen wrote to his widow, Clementine: ‘The whole world is poorer for the loss of this many-sided genius, while the survival of this country and the sister nations of the Commonwealth, in the face of the greatest danger that has ever threatened them, will be a perpetual memorial to his leadership, his vision and indomitable courage.’
His funeral took place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 30 January 1965 and was broadcast live on the BBC and seen around the world.
