Story of Sarah Churchill and her military service

The history of London can boast many outstanding women who are remembered even today. One of these personalities is Sarah Churchill, the daughter of the famous British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This woman surprisingly combined acting and military activities. Learn more at londonka.

She was one of the most influential women in the history of Great Britain, who left her mark not only in acting but also in World War II. Her story is inspiring and deserves special attention.

Childhood and youth

Sarah Churchill was born in London on October 7, 1914. She was the third of Winston Churchill’s five children. It was the time of the beginning of World War I when her father was experiencing the greatest crisis in his political career. At the time, people were inspired by his preparation of the Royal Navy for war and at the same time angry with him for the Gallipoli disaster.

The girl studied at Notting Hill High School as a day student and then at North Foreland Lodge as a boarder. Winston Churchill had high hopes for Sarah because she was talented, witty and determined. The girl was also very energetic and got interested in acting in her teens. At 21, she started to sing in a choir in a British musical. A year later, Sarah Churchill went to the USA to marry comedian Vic Oliver, who was 18 years older than her. Her father tried to prevent the marriage, but he didn’t succeed. From small provincial theatres, Sarah got to London’s West End, Broadway and the film industry. However, the beloved work was interrupted by the war.

Military service during the Second World War

Sarah Churchill joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in 1941. She was an intelligence officer and good at interpreting photographs. Constance Babington Smith wrote in her photo intelligence record Evidence in Camera that she worked closely with Sarah, interpreting photos of the invasion of North Africa in 1942, the so-called Operation Torch. The woman was a quick and intelligent interpreter.

When her father became Prime Minister and leader of Great Britain during the war, he made Sarah Churchill his assistant. Even though he often quarrelled with his daughter, he admired her determination and stubbornness. Individuality and unwillingness to submit to fate resulted in turbulence in the woman’s life.

Some historical sources indicate that during the war she had an affair with married US ambassador John Gilbert Winant. This relationship was quite public and attracted the attention of journalists. The affair didn’t last long and ended badly. The relationship and service in the army turned out to be a difficult path. After the breakup, Sarah Churchill returned to acting.

Career as an actress and ordinary life

It is also worth dwelling on the other side of the woman’s life. Sarah Churchill is known for her role as Anne Ashmond in the film Royal Wedding (1951). Her partner was the legendary Fred Astaire. Her ease, charisma and dancing skills made her a favourite of the audience. In the same year, she created her own TV show, starred in American TV programmes and appeared on radio and TV.

Despite her great career success, Sarah Churchill had a difficult life. She got into trouble in the USA and Great Britain. The woman was often summoned to court on charges related to alcohol abuse and fights with the police. Another challenge was the death of her third husband, Baron Thomas Touchet-Jesson, to whom she had been married for only a year.

Despite all the difficulties, the woman was actively involved in public life. She travelled with her father to international conferences. Later, Sarah Churchill found herself in the fine arts and created several lithographic prints. The famous actress passed away in 1982 after treatment for an acute internal illness. She was buried in St Martin’s Church near Woodstock.