IWM was deeply honoured to receive a legacy gift from the late Ms Laura Renfree in memory of her father, the late Colonel Thomas James Renfree SM.
As well as a generous financial donation, Laura Renfree also gifted a unique collection of objects from her father’s military career which will ensure that her father’s extraordinary life of service will be preserved and remembered for generations to come.
A distinguished career
The late Colonel Thomas James Renfree SM was a distinguished officer in the Union Defence Force (later South African Defence Force).
He fought at El Alamein and was attached to Special Operations Executive Force 399 in Albania and Services Reconnaissance Department, ‘Z’ Force, in the Pacific.
He is brought to life through his remarkable collection of personal and military artefacts. At its heart is a full set of 14 mounted medals, each one a testament to his distinguished career across multiple global conflicts, including the Second World War.
Among the medals Renfree was awarded are the Africa Star, Pacific Star and Italy Star, which is of special interest, as it is uncommon to have received all three—a rare international honour reflecting his diplomatic contributions.
A rich archive of documents and intelligence reports offer insight into Colonel Renfree’s involvement in operations spanning from Albania to South Africa, unearthing the realities and complexities of 20th-century conflict and diplomacy.
This collection is particularly significant as very little documentation relating to the Special Operations Executive and their missions survived the Blitz.
Perhaps most evocative are the photo albums—carefully catalogued images capturing moments from Europe, the Middle East, and Southern Africa. Through these photographs, we see not only the world Colonel Renfree served in, but the humanity behind the uniform.
As a charity, IWM is greatly supported by generous gifts in wills —no matter the size, a financial donation, a collection of objects or a residuary of an estate—gifts in wills help us conserve and preserve our collection of 33.5m items that tell the stories of conflict which have shaped our world. These meaningful legacies ensure that history is not only safeguarded within our collections but remembered and passed on to future generations.
Continue sharing the stories that matter
At IWM, we share the human stories behind conflict through powerful exhibitions, immersive events, and learning programmes.
Whether inspired by a family memory, personal experience, or a love of history, your story is part of ours.
By leaving a gift in your will, you’ll help us continue sharing the stories that matter — for generations to come. Every legacy, no matter the size, leaves a lasting impact.
As a charity, we depend on the generosity of legacy supporters to preserve and share the personal histories of conflict. For a confidential conversation about legacy giving and the difference your support can make, please contact:
Imogen Arcangeli, Head of Individual Giving: [email protected].
