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'Den' Vanrenen (J Vanrenen).
'Den' Vanrenen was the second of four sons of Henry Baumgard Vanrenen and Winifred Alexandra nee Sutherland, of Avoca Forest and was born on 7 July, 1915. He was enrolled at Geelong College as a boarder from 15 February, 1928 to December, 1930. He had previously attended Logan State School.
‘Den’ enlisted on 15 July, 1940 becoming a corporal (VX45516), in 2/9th Division Cavalry Regiment (Middle East, April 1941-March 1943), with a number of his College contemporaries, Rod Calvert, Ron Carstairs, Noel Champ, Eric Edwards, Colin McArthur, Peter McArthur, Mac Murton, George Officer, Andy Sproat and John Stanley. He was Mentioned in Despatches at El Alamein when his carriers were ordered to proceed into the desert and draw fire upon themselves, so they could identify the German positions.
On his return to Australia his father's health was deteriorating, so he was discharged in order to return to the family farm on 2 May, 1944. He died on 28 November, 1968.
His three brothers, Henry Poleman Vanrenen (1913-1988), Dr Bertram Sutherland Vanrenen (1920-2014), and Donald Sutherland Vanrenen (1924-1992), all attended Geelong College as well.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Second World War compiled by James Affleck. p526 (citing Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives; Vanrenen Family Recollections; Photo Judy Vanrenen). Last updated 26 Aug, 2014.