THE nation mourned when wartime leader Winston Churchill died at the age of 90.

January 24 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the great statesman who led Britain to victory against the Nazis.

Crowds gathered outside his London home after news of his death was announced by the BBC shortly after 8am. He had suffered a stroke 15 days earlier.

His body lay in state for three days in the Palace of Westminster and a funeral service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral. As his coffin passed down the Thames, dockers lowered their crane jibs in a salute.

Further tributes were paid with the firing of a 19-gun salute by the Royal Artillery and an RAF fly-by of 16 English Electric Lightning fighters.

The funeral brought together the largest assembly of statesmen the world had ever seen. His body was taken by funeral train to be buried in the family plot at St Martin’s Church, Bladon, near Woodstock, not far from his birthplace at Blenheim Palace. Thousands stood in silence to pay their respects along the route the train travelled.

Here we look at how the death was reported in the Wharfedale Observer.

AS the man who led the nation to victory against the Nazis, Winston Churchill had a special place in the hearts of ordinary people throughout Britain.

His death half a century ago prompted widespread tributes, with sombre marks of respect re-enacted across the land.

The mood of the nation after the great man’s death on January 24, 1965, was captured in reports in the Wharfedale Observer and Ilkley Gazette.

Flags were flown at half mast, church bells were muffled and respectful silences were observed at meetings and football matches.

Churchill, who died at the age of 90 following a stroke, was described by local civic heads as “the noblest Englishman of our time” and “an inspiring and shining example”.

The Wharfedale Observer reported: “The people of Wharfedale and Airedale are sharing in the homage of the nation, and the world, to Sir Winston Churchill.

“Prayers have been offered in the local churches and sympathy expressed at meetings and functions of all kinds. “ The newspaper noted: “A great man passed away this week.”

It described the wave of feeling prompted by the death of the “old warrior”, adding: “Even now, almost a quarter of a century on, we can thrill, as we thrilled then, at those war speeches, made in the days when we stood alone, when it seemed only a matter of hours before the horror of war came literally to our doorsteps.”

It added: “Those who heard those speeches in the context of the situation as it then was can never forget them, not will ever want to forget. He gave to that generation a sense of purpose and resolution, he brought hope in the blackest days; and he gave leadership when all seemed lost. “And so this week, we remember the miracle of which he made us all part and we give thanks.”

Churchill’s death prompted memories of his visit to the area in 1944, as he passed through the town to the railway station after visiting the D-Day troops at Farnley Camp on March 31.

A reporter for the Wharfedale Observer noted: “All the town seemed to have turned out to greet him and prominent among the spectators were the many war workers in the district.”

The newspaper described how the excited crowds swarmed around his vehicle.

“As the car slowed to a walking pace, the Prime Minister gave his famous victory sign, raised his hat to girls in a window, and smiled acknowledgement to the warm and sincere greeting that welcomed him.”

The reporter described his “confident, inspiring smile” which hid a faint suggestion of fatigue.

He concluded: “The final glimpse we had of his broad back symbolised the strength, determination, and doggedness of the man who holds in his hands, to a great extent, the destiny of our nation.”