The hearse that carried Winston Churchill through London at his state funeral has been restored and is being used again.

The Austin Princess transported the Prime Minister from Festival Pier in London to Waterloo Station through crowds of people showing their respects after his death in January 1965.

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The bulldog statesman was taken by the vehicle to his final resting place at St Martin’s, Bladon, just outside of Blenheim Palace grounds, where he was born.

After undergoing a three-year restoration, the historic motor is being used at funerals again.

Oxford Mail: Winston Churchill Winston Churchill (Image: Archant)

The hearse was restored by Jo Burge of Classic Marine Engineers in Suffolk, and is now being used by Bristol Memorial Woodland funeral directors.

The company is making it available for final journeys to its chapel and green burial grounds.

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Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace on November 30, 1874.

Christopher Baker, founder of the Memorial Woodlands said: "We believe the history of the hearse makes it appropriate for military families or for anyone who has a sense of history.

"Churchill’s funeral was a magnificent event that saw the largest gathering of world leaders during the 1960s.

''His body was conveyed on a gun carriage, down the Thames on board the MV Havengore and then on to a train named in his honour to Oxfordshire where he was buried.

"The hearse was used for the short part of his final journey between the boat and the train." 

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1