I remember it as being one of the rare moments I had seen Winston in church. In fact, I think it was the first time any of us had been down to the church at Chequers. Winston was very emotional about the whole ceremony, and, with tears in his eyes, kept saying, “Poor child. What a terrible world to be born into.”

.

I had always heard that the Prime Minister’s emotions were easily stirred and at times he could be as sentimental as a woman, and on this occasion I had proof of it, for he sat throughout the ceremony with tears streaming down his cheeks. “Poor infant,” he murmured, “to be born into such a world as this.”

“The stars in their courses”

We may take courage  from Churchill’s eternal faith and fortitude. optimism. Life was no better by 16 June 1941. Britain and the Commonwealth still stood alone. Russia was still bound to Germany by their hangman’s pact. There was no sign of America coming in. Churchill was undeterred. He recalled the old Boer expression, “All will come right.” And he took to the airwaves:

Is the tragedy to repeat itself once more? Ah no! This is not the end of the tale. The stars in their courses proclaim the deliverance of mankind. Not so easily shall the onward progress of the peoples be barred. Not so easily shall the lights of freedom die. But time is short. Every month that passes adds to the length and to the perils of the journey that will have to be made. United we stand. Divided we fall. Divided, the dark age returns. United, we can save and guide the world.

“The hope shall never die”