Winston Churchill had a varied career during the First World War. At the outbreak of war in 1914, Churchill was serving as First Lord of the Admiralty. In 1915 he helped orchestrate the disastrous Dardanelles naval campaign and was also involved in the planning of the military landings on Gallipoli, both of which saw large losses.

Following the failure of these campaigns, Churchill was demoted and resigned from government. He became an officer in the Army and served on the Western Front until early 1916.

In 1917, under Prime Minister David Lloyd George’s coalition government, Churchill was appointed Minister of Munitions, a position he held until January 1919.

In 1919, shortly after the end of the war, he was appointed Secretary of State for Air and War. In this role he attended peace talks in Paris in 1919. He was not involved in the peace process itself but took part in discussions about the shape of the post-war world. He held this position until 1921.

Here are six images that trace Churchill’s career across the First World War.

Photographs

Visiting Kent as First Lord of the Admiralty

First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill (centre, facing camera), stands in front of Short Type S.38 Biplane (a.k.a. Short S.77), No. 66, of the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps, during a visit to Eastchurch, Kent. No. 66, seen here with a Vickers Maxim gun fitted on the front of the gondola, was used for experimental gun and wireless installation tests at Eastchurch.
© IWM CH 4778
Image: IWM (CH 4778)

Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 - 1915, in front of Short Type S.38 Biplane (a.k.a. Short S.77), No. 66, of the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps, during a visit to Eastchurch, Kent, May 1914.

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Photographs

Behind the Front Line as an Officer in Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars

Major Winston Churchill, wearing a French steel shrapnel helmet, stands with General Emile Fayolle and other officers including Captain Edward Spears (third from left) at the headquarters of XXXIII Corps, French Army, at Camblain L'Abbe while visiting the French front line on 15 December 1915.
© IWM Q 49305
© The rights holder (IWM Q 49305)

Major Winston Churchill, wearing a French steel shrapnel helmet, stands with General Emile Fayolle and other officers including Captain Edward Spears (third from left) at the headquarters of XXXIII Corps, French Army, while visiting the French front line on 15 December 1915.

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Photographs

Inspecting a production line as Minister of Munitions

The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill inspects a production line for heavy guns during a visit to Beardmore’s Munitions Works in Glasgow on 8 October 1918.
© IWM Q 84086
Image: IWM (Q 84086)

Winston Churchill inspecting a production line for heavy guns during a visit to Beardmore's Munitions Works in Glasgow on 8 October 1918 as Minister of Munitions, a position he held from 1917 - 1919.

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Photographs

Meeting the workers while Minister of Munitions

The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill meets female workers at Georgetown's filling works near Glasgow during a visit on 9 October 1918.
© IWM Q 84077
Image: IWM (Q 84077)

Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill meets women war workers at Georgetown's filling works near Glasgow during a visit on 9 October 1918.

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Photographs

Watching troops on parade as Minister of Munitions

Official entry into Lille. The Minister of Munitions, Winston Churchill, watching the march past of the 47th Division in the Grande Place, Lille.
© IWM Q 11429
Image: IWM (Q 11429)

Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill on the Grand Stand in the Grande Place at Lille watching the March Past of the 47th Division in October 1918.

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Photographs

Attending the Paris Peace Conference as Secretary of State for Air and War

Historic group taken after the deliberations of the British Empire Delegation at the Premier's house in Rue Nitot, Paris, at which the most momentous decisions were arrived. Left to right: Sir Joseph Ward, General Smuts, Lord Milner, Sir Joseph Cook, Mr Barnes, Mr Balfour, Mr Montague, Mr Lloyd George, Mr A Chamberlain, Mr Hughes, Sir F Smith, Mr Winston Churchnill, General Sir Henry Wilson, Mr Botha, Mr Massey and Mr Kerr.
© IWM Q 14993
Image: IWM (Q 14993)

Winston Churchill photographed with delegates at the Paris Peace Conference, June 1919. Churchill was not involved in the peace process itself but as Secretary of State for Air and War he took part in discussions about what the world should look like now the war was over.

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