Thursday 14 July 2016

Lieutenant-Colonel Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill - Weird War 1 battalion Commander




Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS, RA was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a non-academic historian, a writer (as Winston S. Churchill), and an artist. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

Churchill was born into the family of the Dukes of Marlborough, a branch of the Spencer family. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was a charismatic politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer; his mother, Jennie Jerome, was an American socialite. As a young army officer, he saw action in British India, the Anglo–Sudan War, and the Second Boer War. He gained fame as a war correspondent and wrote books about his campaigns.

From 1896 to 1897 Churchill served as a soldier and journalist in India, and wrote the basis for The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1898).  "Writing is an adventure," Churchill once said.  "To begin with, it is a toy and amusement.  Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant.  The last phase it that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public."

In 1898 Churchill fought at the battle of Omdurman in Sudan, depicting his experiences in The River War, an Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan (1899).  Churchill's several books dealing with his early career include My African Journey (1908) and My Early Life (1930).  Churchill resigned his commission in 1899, and was assigned to cover the Boer War for the London Morning Post.  His adventures, capture by the Boers, and a daring escape, made Churchill a celebrity and hero on his return to England in 1900.

In 1900 Churchill was first elected to Parliament.  He switched from the Conservatives to the Liberal Party in 1904.  In 1908 he married Clementine Ogilvy Hozier, with whom he had one son and three daughters.  This relationship brought much happiness and security throughout Churchill's lifetime.  Between 1906 and 1911 Churchill served in various governmental posts, and was appointed Lord of the Admiralty in 1911.  As Home Secretary (1910-11) he used troops against strikers in South Wales.

After his resignation from the government in 1915, Churchill rejoined the British Army, attempting to obtain an appointment as brigade commander, but settling for command of a battalion. After spending some time as a Major with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (part of the 9th (Scottish) Division), on 1 January 1916. Correspondence with his wife shows that his intent in taking up active service was to rehabilitate his reputation, but this was balanced by the serious risk of being killed. During his period of command, his battalion was stationed at Ploegsteert but did not take part in any set battle. Although he disapproved strongly of the mass slaughter involved in many Western Front actions, he exposed himself to danger by making excursions to the front line or into No Man's Land.

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d10, Spirit d10, Strength d6, Vigor d6

Skills: Fighting d6, Knowledge (Battle) d10, Knowledge (Writing) d10, 
Knowledge (Politics) d10, Notice d10, Riding d6, Persuasion d10, Shooting d6

Cha: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 5; Sanity: 7

Hindrances: Fanatic

Edges: Brave, Command, Command presence, Connections, Inspire, Fervour, Leader of Men, Linguist, Rank (Officer), National Identity (British Pluck), Natural leader, Upper class

Gear: Uniform, pistol.

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