Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

An interesting ‘Relief of Mafeking’ Boer War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Major Kenneth McLaren, 13th Hussars, who was severely wounded and taken prisoner in an attempt to relieve Mafeking; he was a onetime close friend of Robert Baden-Powell and a key figure in the early development of the Scouting movement

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top ribbon bar; India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Captn. K. McLaren. 13th Hussars.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Rhodesia, Relief of Mafeking, Transvaal (Maj: K. McLaren. 13/Hussars; 1914 Star, with clasp (Major K. McLaren. D.S.O. 13/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Major K. McLaren.) some chips to wreaths of D.S.O., otherwise generally good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000

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D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901. The insignia were presented by the King on 29 October 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 January 1898 (North West Frontier, Mohmand) and 19 October 1901 (South Africa).

Kenneth McLaren was born on 18 October 1860. He was educated at Harrow, thereafter passing through Sandhurst to join the 13th Hussars on 11 August 1880. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1881, was Adjutant of the 13th Hussars from 19 May to 31 August, 1886, and was promoted to Captain on 3 August 1887. McLaren first met Baden-Powell when both were serving with the 13th Hussars in Afghanistan in 1881. Struck by McLaren’s youthful appearance, Baden-Powell thereafter called him ‘the boy McLaren’. Whilst sharing various postings around India they struck up a close friendship and when the 13th returned home in 1886, Baden-Powell travelled to Argyllshire in Scotland with McLaren on leave.

McLaren served on the North West Frontier of India, as Orderly Officer to Major-General Sir E. R. Elles, K.C.B., Commanding the Mohmand Field Force, was mentioned in despatches, and received the medal with clasp). He served in the South African war on ‘Special Service’ with the Rhodesian Protectorate Regiment, whose job it was to try to relieve Mafeking from the North, in the relief column under Lieutenant-Colonel Plumer. This force of approximately 1500 men had been operating on the borders of the Western Transvaal since the commencement of hostilities, and by 31st March 1900, was within 6 miles of Mafeking. It was, however, numerically inferior to the Boer Commandos besieging Mafeking and it was forced back with quite severe casualties, including Captain McLaren severely wounded and taken prisoner. Subsequently released, it seems that his wounds put paid to any further service in South Africa. He was promoted to Major on 1 July 1901, mentioned in despatches, received the Queen’s medal with three clasps, and was created a companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Major McLaren retired on 8 November 1905.

McLaren married firstly Leila Evelyn Landon (died 1904), in 1898, and had a daughter to whom Baden-Powell stood as godfather. After returning from South Africa, McLaren worked for Baden-Powell as his London-based recruitment officer for the South African Constabulary. After the death of his wife in 1904, aged 29, it was Baden-Powell who stepped up to support him, and when Baden-Powell planned his great experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907, he invited his life-long friend ‘The Boy’ McLaren to help him with the venture. The camp was planned for nine days starting on 1 August 1907, but both Baden-Powell and McLaren were on Brownsea for some time before that, preparing for the boys arrival. In December of that year McLaren became the first Secretary of the Boy Scouts but his appointment lasted only three months as he was unable to get on with Baden-Powell’s publisher and backer at the time, Sir Arthur Pearson. His relationship with Baden-Powell at this time became distanced. McLaren had been developing a relationship with his late wife’s former nurse, Ethel Mary Wilson, who he eventually married in 1910. Baden-Powell, who did not approve, did not attend the wedding and when he, himself, married Olave Soames in 1912, McLaren was not invited.

In 1914 McLaren volunteered for a staff appointment in France (1914 Star - clasp not confirmed on Medal Index Card). Major McLaren died on 20 September 1924, and is buried beside his mother at the family home Dunmar, Tighnabruaich, Argyllshire.

Sold with copied research together with an original letter from Olave Baden-Powell (1973), and a photograph of McLaren mounted on his polo pony.