Incredible archive reveals final tribute to Sir Winston Churchill during state funeral

The lying-in-state of Sir Winston Churchill in Westminster Hall. Royal Navy Officers stand guard. Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Fifty years ago on Friday, the nation paused to remember one of the greatest politicians the country has ever seen, the man who steered them through a second terrible World War, Winston Churchill.

On that day London came to a standstill as Churchill's coffin was taken from Westminster Hall where it had lain in state for three days to St Paul's Cathedral.

Over a hundred nations sent representatives, making it the largest state funeral up to that point.

The flag-drapped coffin of Sir Winston Churchill is carried to the Port of London Authority launch 'Havengore' at Tower Pier in 1965. Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The funeral procession then took to the Thames where the Havengore carried the chief mourners and the coffin of Sir Winston on his last journey by water from Tower Pier to Festival Pier.

As the launch went down the river dockers lowered their cranes as a mark of respect to the war hero.

The Royal Artillery fired the 19-gun salute and the RAF staged a fly-by of sixteen Lightning fighters.

At Churchill's request, he was buried in the family plot at St Martin's Church, Bladon, near Woodstock, not far from his birthplace at Blenheim Palace.

To mark the anniversary of the funeral on Friday, the Havengore will trace the same route, this time bearing a wreath of laurel leaves with a V for Victory symbol in gold, which is being specially made by the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory.

The biodegradable wreath will be loaded aboard Havengore with fitting ceremony and will then be laid on the same hatch cover on which Churchill’s coffin was laid for the duration of the voyage.

Sir Winston Churchill's coffin being carried in the centre aisle of St Paul's Cathedral in London. Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

On board will be members of the Churchill family and others who were closely connected with the state funeral. In addition there will be a representative from the childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish, initially set up with the aid of a bursary from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

After placing the flag-draped coffin of Sir Winston Churchill on board the Havengore, the Grenadier Guards bearer party stands to attention on the deck. Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The Havengore will be escorted up river by the duty boats from the Port of London Authority, the River Police, the Fire Service and the RNLI.

Tower Bridge will be raised in honour of Churchill 2015 at approximately 12.45pm as the small flotilla passes under the bridge.

Two Scottish pipers standing in the bows of Havengore will play the pipes and continue to do so as she slowly makes her way up river.HMS Belfast and HMS Wellington will be dressed overall and will return salutes as Havengore passes.

The Queen's wreath laid on Sir Winston Churchill's grave in Bladon, Oxfordshire. Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Then following a short religious service, the laurel wreath will be laid on the waters of the Thames in front of the Palace of Westminster.