In this letter from 1889, Churchill writes to ‘Mamma’, telling her that he has joined the ‘Army class’ and that he is learning French and geometrical drawing and studying for the...

How I hated this school, and what a life of anxiety I lived there for more than two years.

2015 also sees the fiftieth anniversary of the Trust established as Churchill’s memorial. After his death, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was set up as Churchill’s national memorial and living legacy by funding British citizens from all walks of life to travel overseas, to develop their knowledge and expertise and bring back best practice for the benefit of others in their professions and communities. Since 1965, the Trust has supported thousands of Fellowship recipients in a diverse variety of fields, where merit, either on the basis of past experience, or potential, and the propensity to contribute to the community have been the only criteria. In 2015, 150 awards will be made for overseas travel of between four and eight weeks, with grants to cover all travel, daily costs and insurance. Echoing Churchill’s own interests and passions in his lifetime, wide-ranging categories include: Arts and Older People; Crafts and Makers; Designers; Early Years Prevention and Intervention; Education; Environment and Sustainable Living; Medicine, Health and Patient Care; Prison and Penal Reform; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Young People. Learn more about the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust .

copyright: Nick Marchant, courtesy of Harrow School...