Second China War Medal
Second China War Medal | |
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![]() Ribbon: 32mm crimson ribbon with yellow edges | |
Awarded by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | |
Type | Campaign medal |
Eligibility | British forces. |
Awarded for | Campaign service. |
Campaign | Second Opium War 1856- 1860 |
Description | Silver disk, 36mm diameter. |
Clasps |
China 1842 Fatshan 1857 Canton 1857 Taku Forts 1858 Taku Forts 1860 Pekin 1860 |
Statistics | |
Established | 6 March 1861 |
The Second China War Medal was issued by the British Government in 1861 to members of the British Army and Royal Navy who took part in the Second Opium War of 1856 to 1860 against China. The medal was designed by William Wyon.[1]
The medal's obverse shows the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the legend ‘VICTORIA REGINA’. The reverse has the same coat of Royal Arms and shield found on both the First China War Medal with the inscription ‘ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM’ and the word ‘CHINA’ in the exergue below. The suspender is the same as that used on the Indian Mutiny Medal.[2]
The medal was issued with the following clasps:
China 1842 (awarded to those who had already received the medal for the First China War), Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1858, Taku Forts 1860 and Pekin 1860. [1]
The 32 mm ribbon is crimson with yellow edges (originally five equal stripes of green, white, red, yellow and blue, edged with red). The medals are named in indented Roman capitals for the Army, while members of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy were usually issued with unnamed medals.[2]
References
- 1 2 "The China Medal Roll British Navy & Army". forces-war-records.co.uk.
- 1 2 Second China War Medal on the Royal Engineers website
External links
- Guide to the Second China War Medal on the North East Medals website
- An example in The Fitzwilliam Museum Collection
- Second China War Medal on Naval & Military Press website