BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF KITCHENER.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1916, Page 10

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF KITCHENER.

OXK OF THE EMPIRIC'S (iRKATKST SOLDIERS. A REMARKABLE RECORD. Kitchener of KliHi-tmu. Hfiratio Herbert Kitchener, Viscount {15.50), BritisJivjigcnt ami con^ni-^ciH'ial in Egypt (since 11)11). He was the eldest son' of tint liitc Lieutenant-colonel 1). 11. Kitchener, of Aspall Tlall, Suffolk, and entered the Royal Engineers in IS7I, after passing throufrh the Royal ATilitary Academy, Woohvicli. He was endued oil Urn Palestine survey from 1574-8, and from IS7S-S2 on the Cyprus survey. He then went to Egypt, where he remained till he had achieved the reconquest of the Sudan (IS1IS), ami was ordered to South Africa, as Lord Roberts' eliief' of stall' (1R!)0).

During the intervening sixteen or seventeen years lie was fully employed fighting and organising. He commanded the Egyptian cavalry (ISSL'-l); took part in the NTile expedition (ISS4-.1) Tor the relief of Heneral Oordon, when he gained brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel; was governor of Suakin (1880-81, adjutaiitgeneral of the Egyptian army (ISSS-1I2); wounded at Handub 11888) commanded a brigade at the battle of Toski (ISS!>), and was rewarded with a C.8.; and sirdar of the Egyptian army (1802-!)) in succession to Lord Hrcufell. He commanded the Dongola expeditionary force in ISllli, and for his services was promoted major-general and created K.C.B.

The crowning triumph of his arduous "(irk in Egypt, and of the labors of the British officers who had been associated with him. was rcsi died in ISiIS, when, at the Athara (April 8) and Unidnrniaii (September '2l, he routed the Dervishes anil completely destroyed the power of Queen Victoria raised him to the peerage in recognition of his great victories, and Parliament voted him a sum ot CIO.OOO. and. by formal resolution, thanked him "for the distinguished skill and ability with which lie planned anil conducted Ihc campaign on tin- Nile of 189(1-8."

During a Hying visit to Kngiand on the conclusion of the Sudan campaign, Lord Kitchener raised C 100,000 for the foundation of an educational college at Khartum in memory of Oncral Gordon. During (he ISoer War'lie went to South Africa with l.ord Roberts as chief of stall', January 190(1. Tie assumed supreme command on November 20, and waged war against the Boers by a system of "blockhouses" and extensive "drives," till he secured an honorable peace oil .May 31, 11102. King Edward sent him a congratulatory telegram on the termination of hostilities, and raised him in the peerage to a viseountey. Parliament voted him sum of Of,ooo, and thanked him for his great services to the I'.uipire. Lord Kitchener returned to Kngiand on July 12, 1002, and proceeded in Tndia to take up the chief command in the following November. In 1912 lie was placed on the establishment of generals, and in 1000 was raised to the rank of lield-marslial. In the same year the Duke of t'ouipiught. resigned his appointment of field-marshal, commander-in-chief and high commissioner in the Mediterranean, and Lord Kitchener was appointed in his plaei— Sir Frederick Forcstier Walker acting in the interim. Lord Kitchener, however, never took up the appointment, and resigned it early iu 1010. In 1011 he was made a Knight of St. Patrick, and succeeded Sir K. Corst as British agent and consul-general in Egypt. On the outbreak of the present war, Lord Kitchener wa- given the task of organ ising a National Army. How lie succeeded in his task, overcoming well l'igli insuperable difficulties, is cui;rent

ifiuiwledge. From an army establishment of about 2(10,11110, Hritain's forces now number live millions—-as strong numerically, perhaps, as (.'ermany's. Lord Kitchener did in 20 months what it took the (lerinans 40 years to accomplish, rhis remarkable feat is a better monument to Kitchener's memory than any pedestal could possibly be.