November 2, 2024

The World of Churchill Collectables

By BRIAN KRAPF

Recently we have explored various pieces of wartime chalkware depicting Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The piece presented this month has my vote for one of the best. Not only is it exceptionally executed, it is also quite large—standing more than a foot tall and weighing twenty pounds. The cigar is made of wood and attached by a metal rod. The base is inscribed “Winston’s Victory Smile.” But why is Churchill depicted in RAF uniform?

The British army has a tradition of appointing honorary regimental colonels. These appointments are typically made to honor former long-time officers, members of royalty, or noteworthy politicians. They have no command power but take part in ceremonial events, public relations, and recruiting efforts. The honorary colonel is entitled to wear the uniform of his regiment and to be saluted.

In 1939 Churchill was made an honorary colonel in the both the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars and the Royal Artillery. In January 1940 he was made honorary colonel of the regiment in which he served in the Great War, the Royal Scots Fusiliers. After becoming Prime Minister, Churchill was named honorary colonel in four additional regiments.

2025 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 42nd International Churchill Conference. Washington, DC | October 9-11, 2025

2025 International Churchill Conference

Following its establishment in 1918, the RAF copied the Army’s practice and appointed honorary commodores to its air squadrons. During and after the First World War, Churchill was instrumental in helping to establish the RAF. In April 1939, he was named Honorary Air Commodore of 615 Squadron, which entitled him to wear the uniform. As Prime Minister, Churchill made a point of wearing this uniform on official visits to RAF facilities. Similarly, he would wear one of his colonel’s uniforms when visiting Army posts or installations.

The attentive, however, may also ask why Churchill is depicted wearing pilot’s wings on his uniform? When he was first appointed an honorary air commodore, Churchill was not entitled to wear wings nor did he. In March 1943, however, the RAF celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. In recognition of Churchill’s early role in the development of the service, he was awarded honorary wings by the Air Ministry. Consequently, images of Churchill wearing his RAF uniform can be dated as before or after March 1943 by whether or not he is wearing wings.

Some of Churchill’s Second World War uniforms are on display at the Churchill War Rooms in London and also at Chartwell.

Brian Krapf’s book A Churchill Treasury: Sir Winston’s Public Service through Memorabilia has just been published in the UK and the US.