Summary

China War medal with mount and ribbon, 1900, made in the Royal Mint, London. Edge impressed in block capitals: W. SLADE, A.B. VICTORIA NAV. CONTGT.

Awarded to W. Slade for his role in the 1900 Boxer Rebellion in China. The Colony of Victoria sent a naval contingent to China to support the British campaign. William Slade was an Able Seaman in the contingent. His service number was 129. On 30/07/1900 he embarked for China on board SS Salamis, and returned to Australia on 25/04/1901 on board SS Chingtu.

Physical Description

A silver medal (36mm diameter) with mount and ribbon. The obverse features a veiled and crowned half-length bust of Queen Victoria facing left; around, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, the artist's name, G.W. de Saulles is incuse on the base of the bust. The reverse depicts a war trophy set at the base of a palm tree with an oval shield bearing the Royal Arms at the centre resting against it; around above, ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM (translation - to pray for peace by force of arms); in exergue on a plaque, CHINA below the plaque, 1900. Edge impressed in block capitals: W. SLADE, A.B. VICTORIA NAV. CONTGT.

Obverse Description

A veiled and crowned half-length bust of Queen Victoria facing left; around, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, the artist's name, G.W. de Saulles is incuse on the base of the bust.

Reverse Description

A war trophy set at the base of a palm tree with an oval shield bearing the Royal Arms at the centre resting against it; around above, ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM (translation - to pray for peace by force of arms); in exergue on a plaque, CHINA below the plaque, 1900

Edge Description

W. SLADE, A.B. VICTORIA NAV. CONTGT.

Significance

"The Boxers formed a Chinese secret society known as the I-ho-ch'uan - the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists (hence 'Boxers'). The aim of the Boxers and other similar societies was to eradicate all foreigners and Christians from China" (British Battles and Medals, p. 208)

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