Mary Soames facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lady Soames
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Soames in 1965
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| Born | Mary Spencer-Churchill 15 September 1922 London, England |
| Died | 31 May 2014 (aged 91) London, England |
| Buried | St Martin's Church, Bladon |
| Nationality | English |
| Noble family | Spencer-Churchill |
| Spouse(s) | |
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| Father | Winston Churchill |
| Mother | Clementine Hozier |
Mary Soames, Baroness Soames, was an English author and the youngest of five children of Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine. She was born on 15 September 1922 and passed away on 31 May 2014.
During World War II, she worked for important groups like the Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Service. Later, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1941. She was married to the Conservative politician Christopher Soames.
Contents
Early Life and Wartime Service
Mary Spencer-Churchill was born in London in 1922. She grew up at Chartwell, a country house in Kent, which her father, Winston Churchill, bought around the time she was born. She went to local schools there.
From 1939 to 1941, during World War II, Mary helped out with the Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Service. These groups provided important support during the war.
In 1941, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). This was a women's branch of the British Army. She served in London, Belgium, and Germany, working with anti-aircraft guns. She rose to the rank of Junior Commander, which is similar to a Captain today.
Mary often traveled with her father, Winston Churchill, as his aide-de-camp (a personal assistant). One notable trip was to Potsdam in 1945, after the war in Europe ended. There, her father met with leaders like Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin. For her excellent military service, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1945.
Public Service and Writing Career
After the war, Lady Soames dedicated her time to many public organizations. She was a patron for groups like the International Churchill Society and the Church Army. She also led the Royal National Theatre Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1995.
She supported her husband, Christopher Soames, during his time as an Ambassador. They lived in Paris from 1968 to 1972 and also in Rhodesia.
Lady Soames was also a successful author. In 1979, she wrote a well-received biography about her mother, titled Clementine Churchill. She shared valuable information about the Churchill family with historians, including Sir Martin Gilbert, who wrote the official biography of her father.
She also edited a book of letters between her parents, adding her own notes to explain their personal and historical importance. In 2012, her own memories, based on her childhood diaries, were published as A Daughter's Tale.
In 1980, she was honored again, becoming a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This award recognized her public service, especially her work in Rhodesia.
In 1992, Lady Soames was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. On the show, guests choose eight songs, a book, and a luxury item they would take if stranded on a desert island. She chose Memoirs from Beyond the Grave by François-René de Chateaubriand as her book and fine Havana cigars as her luxury item. Her favorite song was a part of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, which reminded her of the joy of being in the countryside.
A special public appearance for her was on 29 April 2002. She dined with Queen Elizabeth II at Downing Street as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Other guests included Prime Minister Tony Blair and several former prime ministers.
On 23 April 2005, she received a very high honor: she was made a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter (LG). She wore the same special insignia that her father, Winston Churchill, had worn when he received the same honor in 1953.
Family Life
In 1947, Mary married Christopher Soames, a politician who later became Baron Soames. They had five children together:
- Nicholas Soames, Baron Soames of Fletching (born 1948)
- Emma Mary Soames (born 1949)
- Jeremy Bernard Soames (born 1952)
- Charlotte Clementine Soames (born 1954)
- Rupert Christopher Soames (born 1959)
Later Years and Legacy
Lady Soames passed away at her home in London on 31 May 2014, at the age of 91, after a short illness. Her ashes are buried next to her husband's at the Churchill family plot in St Martin's Church, Bladon, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. After her sister Sarah died in 1982, Mary was the last surviving child of Winston Churchill.
Six months after her death, in December 2014, many items from her personal collection were sold at an auction by Sotheby's in London. These items included paintings by her father and other things related to him. The sale earned a lot of money, much more than expected, showing how much interest there was in her family's history.
Images for kids
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A coat of arms is a special design used by families or organizations.
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Lady Soames's Garter banner at St Martin's Church, Bladon. This banner shows her connection to the Order of the Garter.
