Willie Whitelaw grave (28th June 1918 to 1st July 1999)

 

Nowadays politics chew ups and disgorges politicians and there seem to be few heavy weights around. Didn't politicians used to be dull but reliable, grey but consistent and stuffy but honourable? When I was growing up politician Willie Whitelaw was a safe pairs of hands, more a heavyweight than a deadweight. After decades holding high governmental positions I thought he’d be buried in London but he’s a long way from Parliament and lies in a quiet churchyard in a village in Cumbria. The first war I knew of was when the British had to defence the invasion of The Falkland Islands and Willie presided over it and was regularly on the news. Here I am at his grave.

 

He was born in World War One (in which his dad was killed) and fought in World War Two before entering politics where he became a mainstay of the Conservative Party under prime ministers Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher. I can remember him being the Home Secretary during the 6-day long Iranian Embassy siege in London in May 1980 (first time I heard of the SAS's existence.) Margaret Thatcher relied on his wise counsel and consistent support, famously announcing that "every Prime Minister needs a Willie".

 

He’d have remained in politics but aged 69 he suffered a stroke and was forced to resign, probably marking the decline of Margaret Thatcher. He died from natural causes aged 81 at his countryside mansion in Blencow which is a ten minute drive from his grave. He had been married to Celia for 56 years and they had four daughters. If there's a place quaint enough to instil eternal rest this churchyard in a small village in the Lake District is a candidate. I soon found Willie and his wife lying together until the sun burns up the panel. Willie's headstone is a little more weatherworn as he died 12 years before his wife. I did a salute and left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willie's home where he died...

 

Country mansion with BULLETPROOF windows once owned by William Whitelaw is  on sale | Daily Mail Online