An ‘exceptionally rare’ live television news bulletin announcing the death of Winston Churchill has been unearthed 60 years on from his death.
The 30-minute package, in which ITV newsreader Andrew Gardner says the hero died ‘in peace and without pain’, was broadcast at 2.20pm on January 24, 1965.
The reel of footage was discovered in a box at the offices of ITN, the firm that has for decades produced the news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
It has a cloth strip across it bearing a short typed description that reads, ‘Bulletin of Death of Churchill’, followed by the date and time of the broadcast.
A short clip from the bulletin has been shared exclusively with . The full version has now been digitised to mark the anniversary of his passing.
Sir Winston died aged 90 at around 8am on January 24, and the public were informed in a statement read out by his doctor, Lord Moran, soon after.
The former prime minister, who was cherished by millions for his heroic leadership during the Second World War, passed away days after suffering a severe stroke.
He died in a downstairs room at his London home, 28 Hyde Park Gate, surrounded by his family.
Sir Winston then lay in state in Westminster Hall before a majestic state funeral in St Paul’s Cathedral – honours usually reserved for monarchs.
Matt Harris, the head of archive content at ITN, found the 16mm news film reel while going through boxes of old recordings.
Although rolls of film can degenerate over time, the clip was in good condition.
Gardner says in the clip: ‘Sir Winston Churchill died at his London home soon after eight this morning.
‘The news of his death was given half an hour later in a statement signed by Lord Moran, Sir Winston’s personal doctor.
‘Sir Winston died in peace and without pain. He was 90.
‘Lady Churchill, his three surviving children and other members of the family were present.’
Also found was a short hand-written list detailing the running order of the broadcast.
Sir Winston’s great-grandson, Randolph Churchill, president of the International Churchill Society (ICS), said: ‘The International Society and the Churchill family are very pleased to participate with ITN in bringing to life this historic broadcast first aired on the day of my great-grandfather’s death sixty years ago which will now be available for viewing by a world-wide audience.’
Mr Harris said: ‘Given the technical difficulties of recording live television at the time, it’s exceptionally rare and important to have any live broadcasts from this period, let alone covering such a historically important event.
‘It’s one of many treasures stored in our vaults, including the first TV satellite broadcast from the US, and early bulletins covering the Vietnam War.
‘We’re incredibly grateful to the ICS for their help in preserving this unique bit of British and global history.’
The full broadcast will be released and exhibited by the ICS in the near future. A clip is also available on the ITN Archive and the Youtube channel of the ICS.
After Sir Winston’s death was announced, domestic tributes were led by the Queen and the prime minister, Labour’s Harold Wilson.
Her Majesty, who had been mentored by Sir Winston when she became the monarch during his second stint in Downing Street, said to Lady Churchill: ‘The news of Sir Winston’s death caused inexpressible grief to me and my husband.
‘We send our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
‘The whole world is poorer by the loss of this many-sided genius, while the survival of this country and the sister nations of the Commonwealth in the face of the greatest danger that has ever threatened them will be the perpetual memorial to his leadership, his vision and his indomitable courage.’
Mr Wilson added: ‘We feel, as a family feels when its eldest, most respected, best-loved member has died, a sense of personal loss of a gap in our midst that cannot be filled.
‘The silent vigil of our people outside his house during these dark hours, the unstinted sympathy felt in every house in the land for Lady Churchill – these are perhaps more eloquent of our feelings than words can be.
‘We know, too, that with his death we are making the end of an era.’
He ended: ‘Winston Churchill’s life, his monumental achievements, have enriched for ever not only our nation which he led, not only the world which he bestrode, but the hearts of each of us whose lives he touched with his greatness.’
Over a three-day period that came to an end on January 30 – the day of his funeral – 320,000 people queued to pay their final respects to Sir Winston in Westminster Hall.
His coffin was then carried in a stunning procession through London to St Paul’s for his state funeral.
The send-off was attended by virtually every world leader, as well as the Royal Family.
The Queen broke with tradition by arriving first and leaving last, in a sign of respect to her cherished former PM.
Sir Winston was then carried to Tower Pier and his body loaded onto the barge the MV Havengore, which made the short journey to