**SOLD**

Offered is an original China 1900 'Boxer Rebellion' Campaign medal, awarded to Stoker George Thomas Young, who served aboard H.M.S. Orlando, which was the first ship to arrive in China, in which Royal Marines and many of the ships crew marched with Captain Burke to suppress the rebellious Boxers and relieve the stranded Allied Legations in Peking.

36mm wide circular silver medal with claw and swivel ribbon bar suspension and with original 'RELIEF OF PEKIN' clasp; the face with the veiled crowned head and shoulders portrait of Queen Victoria circumscribed ‘VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX’ (Victoria Queen and Empress), signed ‘G. W. de Saulles’ at the base (for George William de Saulles, 1862-1903, Chief Engraver to the Royal Mint); the reverse with a trophy of arms around a palm tree, a shield bearing the royal arms in the foreground, inscribed below ‘CHINA’ and dated ‘1900’, circumscribed above ‘ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM’ (Latin = they demanded peace by force of arms); officially impressed naming on the edge to G. T. YOUNG, STO., H.M.S. ORLANDO.; on original ribbon, with old collectors catalogue sticker affixed to rear. Photo of H.M.S. Orlando used for display only.

George Thomas Young was born on the 27th July 1879 in Canning Town, London. He is shown as a Labourer on enlistment on the 23rd July 1898, signing on for a 12 year stint. Served H.M.S. Victory II, Orlando from 16th February 1899, transferred to Duke of Wellington 16th August 1901 to 31st December 1903, where he deserted, was caught and returned to the ship. Served H.M.S. Exmouth 18th May 1903 to 17th December 1906, where he was in the 'Cells' on no less than 6 occasions, as well as being drunk. Discharged 22nd April 1907.

HMS Orlando was a Royal Navy armoured cruiser built by Palmers at Jarrow. The ship was launched on the 3rd August 1886 being completed on June 1888.  The ship's first tour of duty was the Australian station in 1890. The Orlando left to go to China where she took an active part under Captain J.H. Burke in suppressing the Chinese outbreak in 1899. The ship was the first to arrive on the scene when trouble arose, and it was her Naval Brigade which originally undertook the defence of Tientsin. Captain Burke's gallantry, and that of the brigade he commanded during the long and arduous fighting, which resulted in the capture of the city, formed the subject of a special dispatch.

At the beginning of the operations the Orlando had a complement of 486 officers and men, of whom 31 were sent to Peking, 112 to Tientsin, 104 accompanied Sir Edward Seymour, 99 took part in the capture of the Taku Forts, and l6 were absent in lighters, etc., in the river, leaving 124 on board. Yet, with all these men absent, the Orlando steamed 900 miles and brought the Chinese Regiment from Wei-Hai-iAfei. Captain Burke died on the passage home. Her casualties were 5 killed and 26 wounded."

The Medal was instituted in 1901 to be awarded to those who had participated in the defence of the Foreign Legations in Peking (Beijing) during the two and a half months siege by the ‘Boxers’ or in lifting the siege. The proposal of Emperor Wilhelm II for a common commemorative medal for the eight-nation alliance was rejected and each country (except Austria-Hungary) issued its own medal.

Sold with a copy of the Admiralty Roll showing entitlement.