Second China War Medal
Encyclopedia
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
.
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
.
The medal was issued with the following clasp
s:
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.
The 32 mm ribbon is crimson with yellow edges. 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.
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who took part in the Second Opium War
Second Opium War
The Second Opium War, the Second Anglo-Chinese War, the Second China War, the Arrow War, or the Anglo-French expedition to China, was a war pitting the British Empire and the Second French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China, lasting from 1856 to 1860...
of 1856 to 1860 against China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The medal was designed by William Wyon
William Wyon
William Wyon, RA , was official chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death. He was influenced by the master of relief sculpture, John Flaxman. Wyon was a highly visible proponent of the Neoclassicist vogue, and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1838.Wyon was born in Birmingham,...
.
The medal's obverse shows the diademed head of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
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
Indian Mutiny Medal
The Indian Mutiny Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1858, for issue to officers and men of British and Indian units who served in operations in suppression of the Indian Mutiny....
.
The medal was issued with the following clasp
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
s:
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.
The 32 mm ribbon is crimson with yellow edges. The medals are named in indented Roman capitals for the Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, while members of the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
and Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
were usually issued with unnamed medals.
External links
- Guide to the Second China War Medal on the North East Medals website
- http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/collection/watson/page65.htmlAn example in The Fitzwilliam MuseumFitzwilliam MuseumThe Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
Collection] - Second China War Medal on Naval & Military Press website