Trace and Tell your Family's Empire Stories
Introduction
David Steel was Leader of the Liberal Party between 1976 and 1988, steering their merger with the Social Democratic party. He was knighted in 1990 and was elevated to the House of Lords in 1997. A strong advocate of devolution, David became the first speaker of the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 before he retired from politics in 2003.
Born in Scotland, David's life changed dramatically when he was 11 years old. His father, a Church of Scotland Minister, announced they were to move to Africa, to the British colony of Kenya. After four years, with the situation in Kenya becoming increasingly violent the family returned to Scotland.
However, David's father made the journey back to Kenya to continue his work. It was only after his father's death in 2002 that David discovered a briefcase full of documents belonging to the Reverend Steel. They revealed that he played a significant part in the political turmoil that accompanied the birth of the new Kenya.
Browser by chapterDavid's father found himself caught between his responsibilities to his family and congregation, and his sympathy for the plight of Africans across Kenya. In 1953 the family returned to Scotland on leave, leaving behind them escalating violence.
At the end of the leave, David's parents decided that he and his brother Michael would stay behind in Scotland for their own safety. Although a completely understandable decision, it was a painful separation for David, who would not see his father again for four years.
David's was not the only family to return to Britain at this time. However, many settlers had been born in Africa and knew no other home. They stayed on, determined to fight the Mau Mau and win. It was not until Kenya became independent that settlers left in large numbers.
