Chartwell Bulletin - Winston Churchill

L O C A L A N D R E G I O N A LICS CANADA ANNUAL DINNER, May 7th. Above: Randy Barber presents the Recognition ofMerit Award for 2007 to David Robinson and his wife Vanessa Taber. David organized the visit of5000 students to Vimy Ridge, sacred to Canadians who fought and died there in World War I.Above right: Ambassador and Mrs. Ken Taylor. During the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979-80, Taylor,then Canadian Ambassador to Iran, sheltered, smuggled out, and probably saved the lives of sixAmericans. He has long served as honorary chairman of ICS Canada, and was the keynote speaker atthe 2005 International Churchill Conference in Quebec City.ICS CANADA...with great effort to remain faithful tothe original design. The rejuvenatedstatue was unveiled in December 2007.David Robinson of Port PerryHigh School, Ontario (winner of the2007 award, for organizing the visit of5000 Canadian students to the WorldWar I Vimy Ridge project) spokebriefly on this year’s trip of 6000students, to Ortono, Italy, site of theDecember 1943 victory which led tothe Allies’ advance on Rome. Thestudents had researched the 2300Canadian troops who fell in that battle;now they will visit their graves. Davehas also visited Canadian troops inAfghanistan, with the intent of havingthe students “twin” them with theircounterparts in World War II.In the toast to Sir Winston,David Brady who noted that sixtyeightyears ago to the day marked thebeginning of the Norway debate in theHouse of Commons, which led to thereplacement of Neville Chamberlain byWinston Churchill. He quoted thebiting comments of Leo Amery (“Inthe name of God, go!”) which were akey factor in the debate.Keynote Speaker was HonoraryChairman of ICS Canada, Ken Taylor,Canadian Ambassador to Iran in 1980,whose heroism in saving the lives of sixAmericans during the hostage crisismade him an international celebrity.Ambassador Taylor spoke onChurchill’s role in the creation of themodern Middle East in 1921, which hesaw as a cost cutting measure forBritain. With firsthand knowledge ofthe problems facing the region, hesuggested that if Iran did not reinvestin its oil industry, its oil supplies willbe depleted within ten years. Hefinished by wondering, “Where is SirWinston when we need him?” He wasthanked by Gordon Walker, whopresented him with a copy of theChurchill, Toronto & Canada plaquein Toronto City Hall Square.ICS Canada President RandyBarber continues to make faithfulrounds on the speaker circuit, tellingthe story of Winston Churchill. On 29April, Randy addressed the KitchenerProbus Group, whose chairman wrote,“We learned so much about the specialattributes and accomplishments ofWinston Churchill...I trust that someof our 200 members will availthemselves of the opportunity ofjoining the International ChurchillSociety of Canada.”Randy also addressed theHonourable Company of Freemen ofThe City of London of North America,which thanked him “for bringing SirWinston back to life in such a knowledgeableand entertaining way.”WASHINGTON DCAPRIL 12TH— We gathered at the OldEbbitt Grille in downtown Washingtonas Professor Barry Gough spoke of“Titans at the Admiralty: WinstonChurchill and Lord Fisher”: our annualevent marking Churchill’s “Sinews ofPeace” speech in March 1946. AnEmeritus Professor of History atWilfred Laurier University in Ontario,Barry is a naval scholar who is writinga book on this powerful and volatileRoyal Navy combination.Churchill, and his First SeaLord, “Jacky” Fisher, were much alike:energized, reforming prodders, toopowerful to say “no” to, but fromdifferent generations. Each pressed hisneeds and demands on his superiors.Working with Fisher proved awatershed for Churchill, who broughtthe retired admiral back against theadvice of many at the Admiralty. In theearly months of World War I, the oldsalt and the young politician hit it off.But the pressures of the developingDardanelles campaign led to Fisher’sabrupt walk-out in May 1915. “I can’tout argue you,” he told Churchill infrustration; his departure draggedChurchill down with him.Together, Fisher and Churchillconverted the Royal Navy to oilpropulsion from coal, persuadingParliament to purchase oil rights inPersia, and had the fleet at battlestations when war was declared inAugust 1914. As usual, the discussionfollowing Barry’s talk was sprinkledwith insights and new material fromthe well-informed dinner guests.“Send for Churchill”:1951 Campaign PinFrom the WashingtonSociety for Churchillcomes this finelyenameled replica of the pinChurchill’s supporters wore inthe 1951 General Election —which also happens to be highly relevanttoday, or any day. The craftsman-ship is amajor improvement on the original—crisp, clear and bright. US $10 or theequivalent postpaid. Send chequespayable to WSC, c/o Dan Borinsky,2080 Old Bridge Road #203, Lake RidgeVA 22192 USA.✌CHARTWELL BULLETIN 17, PAGE 14