MEMBERS of Sir Winston Churchill’s family boarded the same boat yesterday that carried his coffin along the Thames 50 years ago.

The Havengore made its way along the River Thames from the Tower of London to Westminster to mark the 50th anniversary of his funeral.

The crowds were not the same size as those watching the vessel’s most famous voyage but people still lined the banks yesterday afternoon.

The boat came to rest at about 1.30pm near the Houses of Parliament and a brief service was held on board.

Earlier in the day Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron laid a wreath at the feet of Sir Winston’s statue in parliament and paid tribute to the wartime Prime Minister.

Mr Cameron said Britain must draw on the same “courage and resolve” inspired by Churchill to battle the affronts to freedom faced today.

Churchill was still remembered with affection by the country as a statesman, bon viveur and reformer, Mr Cameron said, but most of all as a patriot – with lessons to teach the modern world.

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“He knew that Britain was not just a place on the map but a force in the world, with a destiny to shape events and a duty to stand up for freedom,” he said.

“Churchill was confident that freedom and democracy would win out over barbarism and tyranny in the end... and it did.

“And with every affront to freedom in this century, we must remember that courage and resolve in the last century."

Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg also laid wreaths in commemoration and a service took place at Westminster Abbey.

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