The Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, TD, DL

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of our President, Henry, The Earl Kitchener of Khartoum on 16 December 2011, aged 92.

Although a man of peace himself, as the great nephew of the 1st Earl, victor of the Battle of Omdurman, he took a keen interest in the activities of the Melik Society, aimed primarily at the preservation of the last survivor of his great-uncle’s gunboat flotilla.

By profession he was a chemical engineer and mathematician but his principal interest in life was that of a dietician in the connection between human behaviour and nutrition.

As a boy he had the honour to serve as a page at the Coronation of King George VI. He was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge.

During the Second World War he served in the Royal Signals. He was later active in the Territorial Army, receiving the Territorial Decoration.

On several occasions he furthered the interests of the Society by entertaining Sudanese ambassadors and other dignitaries at the House of Lords, and he also spoke warmly of the Society’s work at a lunch marking the tenth anniversary of our foundation.

On his ninetieth birthday he was presented by the Society with a copy of Terence Cuneo’s famous painting of the Bordein, “The Last Dispatch”, and other gifts from individual members.

We extend our sincere sympathy to his sister Lady Kenya, his niece Lady Fellowes and all other relations and friends.