Winston Spencer Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace, Oxford, in 1874. He came to South Africa as a correspondent to the Morning Post during the South African War of 1889-1902, and was taken prisoner in Natal when the train that he was travelling in was ambushed by forces under the command of General Louis Botha. He escaped and rejoined the British forces as an honorary member of the Imperial Light Horse.
During his long career as statesman he held South Africa and its people in deep affection and General J.C. Smuts was regarded as his colleague, confidant and close friend, specifically during World War II. Churchill died in London in 1965.