Quick Facts
British Celebrities Born In September
Also Known As: Mary Soames, Baroness Soames
Died At Age: 91
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Christopher Soames (m. 1947–1987)
father: Winston Churchill
mother: Clementine Hozier
siblings: Diana Churchill, Marigold Churchill, Randolph Churchill, Sarah Churchill
children: Charlotte Clementine Soames, Emma Soames, Jeremy Bernard Soames, Nicholas Soames, Rupert Soames
Biographers Non-Fiction Writers
Died on: May 31, 2014
Childhood & Early Life
Mary Spencer-Churchill was born on September 15, 1922, at ‘Chartwell,’ a country house in Westerham, Kent. She was the youngest of the five children of Winston Churchill and his wife, Baroness Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill (née Hozier).
Mary attended ‘Manor House School,’ Limpsfield, near ‘Chartwell,’ where she continued studying till the age of 17. In 1939, as the Second World War broke out, Mary quit school and joined the ‘International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.’
Career
From 1939 to 1941, Mary worked with the ‘Red Cross’ and the ‘Women’s Voluntary Service.’ In 1941, she joined the ‘Auxiliary Territorial Service,’ the women’s division of the ‘British Army,’ for the period of the Second World War. With the troop, she served in various anti-aircraft batteries in London, Belgium, and Germany and was promoted to the position of junior commander, equivalent to captain.
Mary accompanied her father on several of his trips outside the country. These trips included his tour to Potsdam (after Victory in Europe Day), where he met both Harry S Truman and Joseph Stalin. In 1945, she was made a ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE), in acknowledgment of her commendable martial services.
She sponsored several public organizations, including the ‘International Churchill Society’ and the ‘National Benevolent Fund for the Aged.’ Additionally, Mary also served the ‘Churchill Houses’ and the ‘Church Army.’ From 1989 to 1995, she was part of board of trustees of the ‘Royal National Theatre.’
Mary was made ‘Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire’ (DBE) in 1980 for her public service, mainly in Rhodesia.
On April 29, 2002, she attended a royal banquet at ‘Buckingham Palace’ in the presence of the Queen as part of the ‘Golden Jubilee’ commemorations. She was accompanied by the then-prime minister, Tony Blair; four former prime ministers; and the family members of other deceased prime ministers. The event is considered to be one of her most remarkable public appearances.
On April 23, 2005, she became a ‘Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter’ (LG), and the rank was formally bestowed upon her on June 13 at ‘Windsor Castle.’
Major Works
A prominent author since her youth, Mary wrote a biography of her mother, titled ‘Clementine Churchill: The Biography of a Marriage.’ It took several years of hard work and research to complete the book, and it was finally published in 1979. It received great applause from the reading community of the time, and the popularity of the book has not faded with years. She wrote a revised version of the book in 2005, with the title ‘Clementine Churchill: The Revised and Updated Biography.’
Later, she wrote several memoirs and biographies that detailed the lives of the Churchills, including her father’s. Among them, the most notable one was the autobiographical ‘A Daughter’s Tale: The Memoir of Winston and Clementine Churchill’s Youngest Child,’ published in 2012.
Family & Personal Life
In 1947, Mary Churchill married ‘Conservative’ politician Christopher Soames (afterward Baron Soames). They had five children, namely, Sir Nicholas Soames, Emma Mary Soames, Jeremy Bernard Soames, Charlotte Clementine Soames, and Rupert Christopher Soames. Later, the couple had 11 grandchildren.
After going through a short period of poor health, Mary died at her home in London on May 31, 2014, at the age of 91. Following her cremation, her remains were buried beside her husband’s, inside the Churchill plot at ‘St. Martin’s Church,’ Bladon, close to Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Facts About Mary Soames
Mary Soames, the daughter of Sir Winston Churchill, was known for her love of animals and had a particular fondness for horses.
Mary Soames served as a nurse during World War II, demonstrating her dedication to helping others in times of need.
Mary Soames was an accomplished author, publishing several books on various topics including her family history and personal experiences.
Mary Soames was a keen gardener and took great pride in her beautiful garden at her home in England.
Mary Soames was a respected member of the House of Lords, where she contributed her insights and expertise on a wide range of issues.
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