Death of a Frenchman, Nanjing, China March 24, 1927

[jerryasher]

Often cited is the death of a Frenchman as one of six foreigners killed during that incident. No further details--Can anyone fill in the blanks? The gunboat Alerte may have been dispatched to the scene as I have a citation that she arrived during the night of 24/25. For the British, Americans and Japanese this was a significant event. Am posting an enquiry also on the Italian and British boards. Many thanks in advance.

[GregSingh]

Not sure about his surname, but all six foreigners were most likely Christian missionaries.
Here is an American: John Elias Williams.

A Frenchman was likely to be a Jesuit, as French run a Jesuit Mission in Nanking.

Paris, March 26.
For the protection of French nationals in Nanking, especially the Jesuit mission, that also owns a school and a hospital, French gunboat "Alerte" was dispatsched.

[GregSingh]

I can now confirm that Frenchman - Father Henry DuGont and Italian man - Father P. Vanara, were both killed outside a Jesuit secondary school (Ricci College).

[jerryasher]

Thank you Greg: I just posted an update on the Italian board. The news account I came across didn't identify the facility as a school, but does agree with the deaths of these two priests. Many thanks for your effort.