Rare artefacts have gone on display at the family home of Winston Churchill to mark 50 years since his death.

The wartime Prime Minister’s life and legacy are being celebrated at Chartwell, near Westerham.

The Death of a Hero exhibition features the last photograph taken of Sir Winston Churchill – who died aged 90 on January 24, 1965, and was given a state funeral six days later – as well as the flag that flew over Washington on the day of his death and a bound book of newspaper cuttings given to his great-grandson.

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The flag that flew over Washington the day Sir Winston Churchill Died. Picture: National Trust

The exhibition has been meticulously researched by National Trust staff and volunteers and includes items never put on public display before.

Among the highlights are the meticulous funeral plans begun in 1959 by the Duke of Norfolk, messages of sympathy from the US Senate and House of Representatives to the Churchill family, the order of service from the funeral, a photograph of Churchill on VE Day signed by all of the members of the Royal Family pictured with him and the silent typewriter used by Churchill’s secretaries so he could dictate without distraction.

Chartwell’s house and collection manager Katherine Barnett said: “Curating this exhibition has been very moving for all involved at Chartwell. Churchill still has such a strong presence in the house and it’s been a challenge to select just 66 objects to show the legacy of a life of such significance.”

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Chartwell's Katherine Bennett with Churchill's funeral plans. Picture: National Trust

Sir Winston’s great-grandson, Randolph Churchill said: “Sir Winston has obviously been a huge influence on my life personally.

“So many objects in the Death of a Hero exhibition are dear to me, but the newspaper cuttings book is particularly close to my heart.

“A gift when I was just two months old, it contains many newspaper articles from 1965 which describe in great detail the love and gratitude the world had for Sir Winston.

“It’s a poignant reminder of the sheer scale of his impact”.

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Picture: National Trust

Visitors to Death of a Hero will also be able to watch footage of the funeral at selected times and take part in a life and legacy family trail around the gardens that Churchill landscaped himself.

  • The Death of a Hero exhibition is at Chartwell’s exhibition room until November 1. The main house re-opens on February 28. Go to nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell or call 01732 868381.

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The ceremonial from Churchill's funeral. Picture: National Trust

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A commemorative Bakelite pipe with interchangeable hats. Picture: National Trust