The Red Pelican

Dick Lyth graduated from Oxford University in 1939 at the age of 21 and went to southern Sudan. With the start of WWII he signed up with the Sudan Defense Force. Lyth was given the rank of Major and sent to the Ethiopian/Sudan border to attack the incoming Italian forces and prevent them from reaching the Nile River. He trained 120 local warriors and waged a successful guerilla war – striking, withdrawing and eluding the Italian forces. After the war Lyth became District Commissioner over the Murle region, an area of 50,000 square miles. The Murle named him Kemerbong, meaning Red Pelican. During the 10 years he served as District Commissioner, Lyth played many roles including judge, linguist, explorer, hunter, husband, father, anthropologist and peacemaker. His story is an epic tale of courage, daring and love.