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.
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David Steel's story will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm, 16th July, 2007. After the broadcast, you will be able to read his full story here. You will also be able to watch the entire show online using 4od: http://vodapp.grid.channel4.com/c4links-web/VODLi
nk.do?t=season&i=706328&o=4oD
The show will be repeated on More 4 at 9pm, 22nd August, 2007.
Time: 22:58 Date: Jul 30, 2007
I missed the episode on Kenya but was facinated by the one tonight on Malaya. My father was based in Nairobi with the British Army and married there in 1961, I was born there in 1962 and we left in 1963 in the run up to independance. I have taken my childern there for some wonderful times but this program has inspired me to find out more.
Time: 15:07 Date: Jul 21, 2007
Thank you so much for screening this amazing episode. My mother was born in Kenya and was a teenager when the Mau Mau uprising occurred. I was very pleasantly surprised to see her nextdoor neighbour and close friend James Foster being interviewed by David Steele on the program. A very touching episode with a huge message for our times. I really hope this gets repeated at some point.
Time: 12:38 Date: Jul 17, 2007
My husband and I were married in Nairobi in 1950 by Rev. David Steel, not in the magnificent church shown in the film but by its predecessor, a tiny corrugated iron building that had a charm of its own. I remember David Steel well and can vouch for the fact that he was much loved and that most people were extremely sorry when he left, even though he ruffled a few feathers. Later we were transferred to Uganda and I had no idea that he had such an influence during Mau Mau. What a brave man! I was very moved to hear more of his story. Thank you to both David Steels.
Time: 23:26 Date: Jul 16, 2007
I too was moved by tonight Empire's children. To see a man moved by his father's dedication to helping others. In today's climate to hear a man of David calibre cry about work his dad did in to stand in the gap. God bless you David and those who help bring this programme to air.
Time: 22:50 Date: Jul 16, 2007
I was hugely interested by this weeks Empire's children. I am currently nearing the end of my gap year. I arrived back from Kenya on Saturday following a 6 month stint searching for my family history. Strangely enough the story of my travels has many parallels to David Steel's story. My grandfather (who died when I was one) used to be a government official (DC) in Nanyuki, where the Mau Mau was often at its worse, during the emergency. I am certain that he would've known the former DO (I missed his name) that he met in the Nairobi archives. As he, I visited several locals of my grandfather's generation, some of whom remembered my grandfather well and his involvement as an official and could tell me about Mau Mau. It was strange to see places that I have only recently visited on the episode, including St.Andrews church in Nairobi. It was very interesting to see that he also visited his fathers grave...I managed to find my greatgrandfather's grave from 1949 in Nanyuki. The whole business was very emotional for me (tear inducing), so I can strongly relate to David's emotions. I was able to locate my family farm at the foot of Mount Kenya, possibly near where Reverend Steel's parish was. I would be very interested to find out where this actually was. I would much appreciate if channel 4 could pass this email on...there is so much I don
Time: 22:33 Date: Jul 16, 2007
Enjoyed David Steele's programme so much. Saw the presbeterian church in Nairobi where I got married in 1963 & where we held my dads funeral a few years later. He worked for the East African Railways. In 1969 David Steel and his wife visited the cottage hospital in Kelso on the borders in Scotland where I had my first son and they came to speak to me. Thanks to David for his excellent programme.
By Andrew_Smith