This short Pathe news reel reports the awarding of the freedom of the Royal Borough to Winston Churchill, then Opposition leader, by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea J.H. (Joseph Harold) Huxley in 1949. If you prefer you can read a transcript of the film below. Running time: 1.30 minutes.
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[Music]
Newsreel title: Kensington. Pathe News. General's baton for Churchill.
News presenter voiceover: At Kensington Town Hall, Winston Churchill receives the freedom of the Royal Borough, the scroll being contained inside a replica of the Baton belonging to his ancester the Duke of Marlbourough. The mayor makes the presentation.
Mayor: Sir, this is a momento of our esteemed affection from your fellow citizens and also in recognition of your support and [?Victorian] leadership. Thankyou sir.
[Audience applauds]
News presenter voiceover: The opposition leader in happy mood has this to say:
Churchill: I have been forced on more than one occastion to say that, ah, I was hearing things which no one aught to hear before they were dead. [Audience laughs]. It fell to me, in that great crises of our faith, to express the heartened resolve of the British nation, our, as I like to put it, the British Empire and Commonwealth of nations.
[Audience applauds]
News presenter voiceover: Two hundred and fifty years pass, but Churchill's go on forever.
[Audience applauds]
End.