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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Suzy W on Tuesday 14 May 13 00:55 BST (UK)

Title: Unknown medal
Post by: Suzy W on Tuesday 14 May 13 00:55 BST (UK)
Can someone tell me what this medal was for?  Dated 1900
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: almitva on Tuesday 14 May 13 02:13 BST (UK)
This Medal was awarded to those who took part in the Boxer Uprising you will find details on Wikipedia.
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: Suzy W on Tuesday 14 May 13 03:07 BST (UK)
Wonderful, thanks for the help.

Suzy W
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: q98 on Tuesday 14 May 13 03:10 BST (UK)
Hi almitva
Out of curiosity, what is the significance of the date palm?

Q98
Fremantle
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: almitva on Tuesday 14 May 13 03:13 BST (UK)
Sorry don't know why a date palm was chosen!
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: gortonboy on Tuesday 14 May 13 06:17 BST (UK)
what a great medal,,is it a family piece ?  is it named?  ;)

Instituted:
1901

Qualification:
Awarded to those who took part in actions against the Chinese in the China War of 1900-1901, more commonly referred to as the Boxer Rebellion.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal. The obverse portrays the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria, the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse depicts an array of trophies arranged under a palm tree. In the centre is a shield displaying the Royal Arms, and above the whole, the legend, ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM [translated as, they demanded peace by force of arms]. CHINA 1900 appears in the exergue.

The obverse of the medal was designed by G W de Saulles and the reverse by William Wyon RA (1795-1851).

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with yellow edges.

Suspension:
Plain, straight swivelling suspender.

Naming:
Medals to the Royal Navy were impressed in block capitals, others indented in thin block capitals and running script.
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: Suzy W on Tuesday 14 May 13 06:36 BST (UK)
Not mine but a neighbours,
There is a name on it "A.W Lee", she has no idea on how he is related to her family, the medal was in a tin with many others.
So now the hunt is on for a A.W Lee
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: gortonboy on Tuesday 14 May 13 06:44 BST (UK)
Lee is my surname  ;D   im on the hunt   ;)
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: gortonboy on Tuesday 14 May 13 07:02 BST (UK)
Medals to the Royal Navy were impressed in block capitals, others indented in thin block capitals and running script.What type is yours? can you post a photo?
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: crimea1854 on Tuesday 14 May 13 07:53 BST (UK)
Q98

You might be interested to know that the design on the reverse was introduced in 1845 for the First China war, and then used subsequently for the 2nd China War, and the China 1900 medal. This was not the original design proposed by Wyon, this showed a British Lion trampling a Chinese Dragon. However, it was felt this would give offence to the Chinese, so was amended to a Trophy of Arms.

There was a similar debate around the colours for the ribbon. The original sample shown to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was criticised as being 'better fitted for ladies at a Bazaar or Fancy Fair', Prince Albert then suggested yellow be used since it was the colour associated with China. In 1845 the Queen finally selected the yellow edged ribbon.

Martin
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 14 May 13 08:26 BST (UK)
Nice medal and excellent photographs Suzy. Tell your neigbour that replacement ribbons for medals are available if she is interested.

http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/MEDALS-%26-MILITARIA/2010-News-Archive/Boxer-medals-punch-above-their-weight/2690.page

Scroll down the page to see ribbons.

And:
http://www.london-medals.co.uk/a-china-1900-boxer-rebellion-medal-to-stoker-w-j-harris-h-m-s-aurora.html
Title: Re: Unknown medal
Post by: Suzy W on Thursday 16 May 13 00:24 BST (UK)
Thin capitals. ;D