The funeral of Sir Winston Churchill on 30 January 1965 was broadcast live on the ±«Óãtv and seen around the world. It was the first state funeral of a politician in the century and the biggest national event since the Coronation of 1953. The ±«Óãtv chose Richard Dimbleby as the sole presenter for over 4 hours of television coverage. Dimbleby's grave and informed coverage was widely praised, and he received 1600 letters from viewers.
The ±«Óãtv positioned 36 cameras along the route of the cortege, which went from Westminster Hall to St Paul's and then back along the river from Tower Hill to the Festival Hall, before departing by train from Waterloo for Bladon. They recorded the full ceremonial but also captured the unexpected, such as the moment the dockside cranes were lowered in salute. Dimbleby covered the whole event from the control room in St Paul's Cathedral.
Dimbleby reported that the Queen watched the 90 minute highlights programme in the evening – having been a participant during the day - which he felt was a testament to the success of the broadcast. Sadly Richard Dimbleby lost his battle with cancer and died at the end of the year. Today his son David is often the voice of the ±«Óãtv at national events and audiences turn to the ±«Óãtv for comprehensive and authoritative coverage.
Obituary: Winston Spencer Churchill 1874 – 1965
Churchill's State funeral: Documents from the Written Archive
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The procession route and Order of Service. -
Richard Dimbleby announced as sole commentator. -
Richard Dimbley pays tribute to his producer for the Churchill state funeral broadcast. -
Commentator thanks colleague for his letters about Churchill's funeral. -
Peter Dimmock shares the latest arrangements for Churchill's funeral.
Links
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Churchill: The Nation's Farewell On the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill's death, Jeremy Paxman tells the story of his state funeral and examines whether Churchill's immense legacy still has resonance today.
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Sir Mortimer and Magnus First transmitted in 1974, Magnus Magnusson talks to Sir Mortimer Wheeler about Winston Churchill's writing
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Great Lives: Sir Winston Churchill Lord Digby Jones chooses Winston Churchill, with expert contribution from Professor David Reynolds and Matthew Parris in the chair.
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Witness History: the Funeral of Winston Churchill ±«Óãtv World Service programme
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Churchill's Chartwell in Kent Marking the fiftieth anniversary of his death, Helen Mark explores the family home and grounds of Sir Winston Churchill, Chartwell in Kent, to learn how the landscape inspired him.
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Churchill's Grave To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Winston Churchill's death, William Crawley travels to the wartime leader's final resting place in the Oxfordshire village of Bladon.
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James Rowland, Senior Media Manager, ±«Óãtv Archives, talks about restoring the footage.
January anniversaries
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The Six Wives of Henry VIII
1 January 1970 -
The Brains Trust
1 January 1941 -
The Archers
1 January 1951 -
Z Cars
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Trumpton
3 January 1967 -
Open University
3 January 1971 -
Camberwick Green
3 January 1966 -
Final edition of The Listener published
3 January 1991 -
Gardeners' World
5 January 1968 -
A Question of Sport
5 January 1970 -
Forces Programme
7 January 1940 -
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
10 January 1990 -
First in-vision television weather forecaster
11 January 1954 -
The League of Gentlemen
11 January 1999 -
Goodness Gracious Me
12 January 1998 -
Listen with Mother
16 January 1950 -
Life On Earth
16 January 1979 -
First episode of ±«Óãtv Breakfast Time
17 January 1983 -
Blankety Blank
18 January 1979 -
The Week's Good Cause
24 January 1926 -
Under Milk Wood
25 January 1954 -
Television Dancing Club
27 January 1948 -
Desert Island Discs
29 January 1942 -
Newsnight
30 January 1980 -
The State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill
30 January 1965 -
Alas Smith and Jones
31 January 1984