LORD KITCHENER 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

Horetio Herbert Kitchener was born on 24 June, 1850 at Ballylongford, co Kerry, Ireland. He died 5 June, 1916 age 65 years

The historical poster of Lord Kitchener pointing and saying "Your Country needs you" from the First World War made him one of  the most well known faces of the British History.

On 5 June 1916 Lord Kitchener died suddenly and mysteriously.
He was the most experienced Field Marshal and was appointed as War Secretary at the beginning of the First World War. He played an important role in the preperation of Britain for the biggest conflict.

Lord Kitchener was sent to Russia in 1916 on the ship JMS Hampshire. It sank near Orkney on June 5 and 650 died with him. Since Lord Kitchener was on a secret mission the conspiracy stories blossomed. The ship was sunk by a German mine.

Between 1896 and 1898 Kitchener commanded an Anglo-Egyptian army. The well organised army and recently invented machine gun gave him the success of conquering the Sudan. He received a knighthood.

From 1900 he was chief of staff and followed to be commander in chief during the second Boer War. Britain won it in 1902. He was criticized by Liberal politician for 'scorched earth' policy and starting to built Concentration Camps. He showed his ruthlessness putting thousands of Boer families into Concentration Camps.

Kitchener was in Egypt with his army when the First World War started. He was, by now, 40 years at the centre of British politics and empire. His career was astronomical. At 24 he was sent to map the holy Land.

At 33 he was an Army captain and by the end of the 19th century he became major-general leading the annihilation of the Dervish army rising up at Khartoum in Sudan.

The times as military commander in India and Egypt made his name even greater and he was regarded as emblem of the British Empire. Back home his feature with the characteristic huge handlebar moustache appeared on many biscuit tins and other ornaments.

As secretary of war he unleashed a great campaign to secure volunteers. Lord Kitchener played a great part in the survival of Britain during the war 1914-16. He advised to stop the Dardenelles Campaign which ended in a great defeat. He had to face massive criticism from colleagues but refused to resign.

Lord Kitchener's success started to crumble because of an incredible shortage of shells.