“England's Old Campaigner”. An original b/w press photo of Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965).

Unknown photographer: “England's Old Campaigner”. An original b/w press photo of Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965). Still photo taken in front of Churchill's country house Chartwell in Kent on October 13th 1951 on acount of the election scheduled for October 25th. A news telegram is seen on the reverse. Photo size 17.5×13 cm. Frame size 43×33 cm.

When Churchill was rejected as Prime Minister in the summer of 1945 it could seem to be a great injustice. Here was the man, who had united the nation throughout the war years, and yet a majority of phe public prefered the Labour leader Clement Atlee. The reason was probably that - despite the deep affection which most Britons felt for Churchill - they also associated him with a time characterized by deprivation and suffering, a time they wanted to move away from as fast as possible. That's why Atlee got his chance.

In 1951 - when the present photo was taken - Churchill returned as Prime Minister, a position he kept till 1955.