Description
Queen’s South Africa, 3 bars, natal, Transvaal, Orange Free State, King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, Lt D.A. Vanrenen, Manchester Regiment, British Resident in Nigeria, murdered with poisoned arrows attempting to install a Chieftain by Guari Tribesmen.
Both medals officially engraved in “Officer Style”.
QSA reads: “Lieut D.A. VANRENEN. Manch Regt.”
KSA reads: “Lt D. A. Van RENAN. Manc. Rgt.”
Medals are in excellent unworn condition.
Brief Timeline of his Life.
Born 15th March 1876.
Employed as Assistant Resident in the Niger Coast Protectorate 1896-7 about age 20.
Interrupted his services to return to England, and was commissioned into the Manchester Regiment during March 1900.
Served with the regiment in the Boer War until May 1901, when he was seconded to the South African Constabulary.
He then “resigned his commission when his Regiment went home owing to want of means.”
After the war he worked as a desk bound Clerk in the Audit Office temporarily seeking a transfer to the Malay States Guides, but was recommended for return to Nigeria as an Assistant Resident circa February 1905.
Became Assistant Regiment in Northern Nigeria in JUly 1906.
During 1909 he was on his new job as an Assistant Resident when tasked with installing the new Chief of Gussoro, to which the Guari people took great offence.
On 9th May 1909, leading his party of about 40 men, he was ambushed by about 600 tribesmen armed with poisoned arrows, who killed him instantly.
Donald Adrian Vanrenen was an Assistant Resident working on behalf of the British Colonial Office in Nigeria.
He was a bit of an adventurer being wasted behind a desk, a brief time in the Auditors Office found him to be a “Square Peg in a circular hole.”
He came well recommended having interrupted his previous service in Nigeria to sign up for active service in the Boer War, when he was again recruited by the Colonial Office they noted that he was working as a Temporary Clerk in the Audit Office, “Has given satisfaction to the Auditor General but he is obviously more cut out for an Active Life and he would I feel sure, make an excellent policeman.”
They were not the only pursuers of his services: “The Governor of Natal, who of course knows your part of the world very wall, has interested himself in Vanrenen and recommended him, I understand, for the Malay States Guides, Mr Orr, our Auditor General an importation from home and a man of sound judgement, is also prepared to certify to his character and attainments.”
On Thursday 6th May 1909, he was on his way to Gussoro Wagan, a Guari Town.
He was in command of the small party, along with a Captain Stone and a Doctor, only 3 Europeans who took with him about 30 Native Policemen.
The special guest was the “Puppet” Chief of Gussoro, likely selected to further British Colonial Interests in the region, he had been forced to leave the town for his loyalty to the British earlier.
However the Guari “Tribesmen” of Gussoro did not recognise him as their chief, and had spent much time preparing poisoned arrows, however the British had ignored reports that they were preparing for war, assuming they would not dare to attack the British.
The British party of about 35-40 was a few hours out on their march from Kuta when they were suddenly ambushed.
Out of the jungle, came about 600 tribesmen armed with bows and poisoned arrows, they let loose on the party with a deadly rain of arrows.
Vanrenen at the head bore the brunt and was instantly killed, his body falling in the long grass.
Captain Stone made a valiant attempt, even though he was already dead to recover the body of Vanrenen but was forced to flee, the Doctor was wounded but managed to slip away. About 11 of the 30 or so police were also killed, the remainder of the police dispersed and fled for their lives.
Donald was born in Kensington London, to Colonel Jacob Peter Deneys Vanrenen, Indian Army, and Frances Vanrenen (Born Paterson).
His father was an Officer in the Madras Staff Corps, former 3rd Hussars, who rose to Colonel.
The Vanrenen family had been for many years in the Indian Army.
He received his education in the exclusive Bundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon.
He had married Helen Barstow during 1902.
