January 1, 1970

Leaving Harrow, after three years in the Army Class at Harrow School, Churchill went to a ‘crammer’ to help him pass the entrance exam to Sandhurst. He eventually passed on the third attempt, in 1893. His maths wasn’t good enough to allow him to join the artillery and engineers, and he didn’t do well enough in the final exam to qualify for the infantry; for a young man keen on riding, the Cavalry was the obvious choice.

While Churchill didn’t like drilling, he relished the opportunity to ride, not only the official ‘chargers’ of the cavalry, but also horses hired from local stables. With army friends, he organised point-to-points and steeplechases across the local landowners’ estates.