LADY KENYA ELEANOR TATTON-BROWN MCSP June 2022
A Personal Reflection
It is with profound regret that I have read of Kenya’s death on 21st May aged 98. I first met Kenya née Kitchener (#1490 on the web family tree) and her brother Henry the 3rd and last Earl Kitchener (#1487) in Shropshire at a Monins / Kitchener / Bovill family 80th birthday get-together in 2006. She was a grand niece of 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum who was tragically lost when HMS Hampshire struck a mine outside Scapa Flow in 1916.
It being early days in my exploration of the family I was excited to be invited to a gathering of such august folk but my enthusiasm was tempered by an equal dose of anxiety. I need not have worried. Kenya was helpful and generous, as was her brother, from that day onwards. I visited them a number of times at Westergate Wood and was always made welcome and put at my ease. Both became generous supporters of The Cobbold Family History Trust.
Born in 1923 she served in the WRNS in World War II and became a Chartered Physiotherapist. From almost our first meeting she would gently chide me for my poor posture and to this day I have her in mind when I do my exercises. I was privileged to attend her and her brother’s 90th birthday parties, both of which added substantially to my family knowledge. Her many kindnesses to me and to the Trust have been echoed by her three daughters to whom my warmest condolences are offered.
Her generosity and kindness apart, I shall remember Kenya particularly for her knowing glances, piquant smile and dry wit which I admired so greatly.
Anthony Cobbold
