War medals of the British Army, and how they were won

THE CHINA MEDALS, 1840, 1842, 1856, 1860.

Reading edition

The first China medal granted for the war 1840–42, by the Indian Government, and authorised by the Queen, was designed by Wyon, and has on the obverse the Queen’s head, with the inscription, “Victoria Regina.” Reverse: A shield bearing the arms of Great Britain, with cannon, flags, anchor, &c., resting against a palm-tree, with the motto, “Armis Exposcere Pacem.” In the exergue, “China,” with the date 1842 underneath.^[95] No clasp issued. Ribbon, crimson with yellow edges; given to both services.

Illustration from War medals of the British Army, and how they were won

Medal for First Chinese War. Medal for Second Burmese War.

The medal for the second Chinese war, 1856–60, was granted by a warrant, dated March 6th., 1861, and is similar to that given for the first war, except that the date 1842 on the reverse is omitted. The ribbon is the same; given to both services. Clasps: “Fatshan, 1857”; “Canton, 1857”; “Taku Forts, 1858”; “Taku Forts, 1860”; “Pekin, 1860.” An additional clasp—inscribed “China, 1842”—was issued to those in possession of the first medal. The clasp for “Fatshan, 1857” was given to the navy and Marines only.^[96]

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Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · The first design for this medal showed the Chinese Plenipotentiaries signing the treaty, and on the cloth of the table was an embroidered pa Note 2 · There was but one medal for the second Chinese war, issued with five clasps, to a Royal Marine artilleryman. When first issued, the ribbon o