George VI

George VI

1. Intro

   • What is a Hero?
     • Courageous
     • Had to do something that challenged them
     • Can step up when needed
     • Able to deal with big things
     • Put a brave face on even when he\she questions capability/ if they can cope
   • Dates
     • 1895-1952
     • Abdication 1936
   • Unprepared
     • Pursuit of what he ought to be doing rather than what he wanted to do

2. PARA 2

   • Ailments
     • Famous stammer
     • Lack of confidence
     • Stomach
     • Knock knees
     • splints
     • Left
   • Father
     • Spent time in army
     • Ran household like military camp
     • Affliction is weakness
   • Mother
     • Cold
     • Didn't show emotion
     • Didn't approve of anyone who did
   • Marriage
     • Elizabeth Bowes Lyon
     • Gave strength and confidence
   • Outshone
     • Quicker
     • Funnier
     • More attractive
   • Under Confidence from Stammer or Vice versa?

3. Navy

   • Joined at 14
   • Found hard
   • Never mixed
   • Didn't excel but did well enough
   • Would have been happy with that life

4. PARA 4

   • When it became clear about Simpson George said: 'If the worst happens and i have to take over... I will do my best to clear up the inevitable mess"
   • Crowned as war starts
   • Dedicated to country, people and commonwealth
   • Monarchy at low
     • Overcrowding
     • Hospitals and schools in bad states
     • Worked tirelessly to fix it
   • Travel
     • Extensive
     • First to go to US and Canada
     • Close relationship with Roosevelt which helped in war when they needed US
     • Homeboy
     • Conservative, didn't change for changes sake, careful
     • Speciality- industrial relations, understood fundamental problems

5. PARA 5

   • Stayed in London for most of WW2
     • Accepted rations
     • Visited bombed areas and injured troops
   • Good chem. with Chamberlain and Churchill
     • One of closest working relationships ever
   • Even when BP bombed twice they still stayed
     • Courageous, morale boosting
     • Second bomb only 30 yds away from them
   • George Cross for 'Acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger"
   • Wanted to go to D-Day
   • Monarch was tricky in war
     • Limited
     • Keeping everyone positive
     • Carved out perfect role
     • Using common sense and judgement which Churchill respected
       • George knew Churchill's lead was indispensable
   • Aspect of war could have been so different
     • Roosevelt
     • Edward sympathetic to nazis
     • Lucky George did what he did

6. Conclusion

   • Deserving
     • Most signicant, figurehead of pride and determination of Britain
     • Sincere
     • Honest
     • Incredible integrity
   • With the rest of Europe in chaos the stability George brought was invaluable
   • Has to be hero worthy
   • Not everything down to him but was a huge part of it