Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener

Field Marshal The Right Honourable The Earl Kitchener KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC
Kitchener in 1914
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1871 – 1916
Rank	Field Marshal

Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC (24 June 1850 – 4 June 1916) was an Irish born British Field Marshal. He was Sirdar (British Commander in Chief) of the Egyptian Army. He defeated the Mahdist rebels against Egyptian rule in 1898 and conquered the Sudan for Britain and (nominally) Egypt. He was Chief of Staff during the Boer War of 1899-1902. From 1899-1900 he was also Commander-in-Chief of the forces in southern Africa. He was given many orders of chivalry, both British and foreign, including Knight of St. Patrick and Knight of the Garter. During World War I he was made Secretary of State for War. He was drowned in 1916 when the HMS Hampshire sunk near the Orkney Islands after hitting a German mine.

The iconic, much-imitated 1914 Lord Kitchener Wants You poster.

At the outset of the First World War, the Prime Minister, Asquith, quickly had Lord Kitchener appointed Secretary of State for War. A massive recruitment campaign began, soon featuring in a number of magazine and newspapers.