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{{Infobox military award
{{Infobox military award
|name = China War Medal
|name = China War Medal
|image = [[File:China War Medal (1842) rev.jpg|150px]]<br /><br />[[File:China War Medal 1842 BAR.svg|100px|center]]
|image = [[File:China Medal 1842 (Obverse).jpg|149px]][[File:China Medal 1842 (Reverse).jpg|148px]]
|caption = Obverse (top). Ribbon: 35mm crimson ribbon with yellow edges
|caption = Obverse and reverse of the medal.
|awarded_by = the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]
|presenter = the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]
|type = [[Campaign medal]]
|type = [[Campaign medal]]
|eligibility = British forces
|eligibility = British forces
|for = Campaign service
|awarded_for = Campaign service
|campaign = [[First Opium War|First Anglo-Chinese War]] (1839–42)
|campaign = [[First Opium War|First Anglo-Chinese War]] (1839–42)
|status =
|status =
|description = Silver disk, 36mm diameter.
|description = Silver disk, 36mm diameter.
|clasps =
|clasps = None
|established = 1843
|established = {{Start date|1843|01|05 |df=y}}
|total =
|total_awarded =
|image2 = [[File:China War Medal 1842 BAR.svg|100px|center]]Ribbon. 35mm: crimson with yellow edges
|image2 =
|caption2 =
}}
}}


The '''China War Medal''' was issued by the [[British Government]] in 1843 to members of the [[British Army]] and [[Royal Navy]] who took part in the [[First Opium War|First Anglo-Chinese War]] (1839–42). The medal was designed by [[William Wyon]].
The '''China War Medal''' was issued by the [[British Government]] in 1843 to members of the British and [[East India Company|Indian]] forces who took part in the [[First Opium War]] (1839–42). The medal was designed by [[William Wyon]].


== Recipients ==
== Recipients ==
The China War Medal was originally intended by the [[Governor-General of India]], in October 1842, to be awarded exclusively to all ranks of the [[Honourable East India Company]]'s Forces. Instead, in 1843, under the direction of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], the British Government awarded it without [[Medal bar|clasp]] to all members of the [[British Army]] and [[Royal Navy]] who had "served with distinction" between 5 July 1840 and 29 August 1842 in the following actions :
The China War Medal was originally intended by the [[Governor-General of India]], in October 1842, to be awarded exclusively to all ranks of the [[Honourable East India Company]]'s Forces. Instead, in 1843, under the direction of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], the British Government authorised its award to all members of the [[British Army]], [[Royal Navy]] and the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] and [[History of the Indian Navy|Navy]], who had belonged to units that had "served with distinction" in China between 5 July 1840 and 29 August 1842. The award covered the following actions:


*In the [[Pearl River (China)|Canton River]] operations of 1841.
*[[Pearl River (China)|Canton River]] operations of 1841 ([[Battle of Canton (March 1841)|First]] and [[Battle of Canton (May 1841)|Second Battle of Canton]]).
*At [[Capture of Chusan|the first]] and [[Capture of Chusan|second capture of Chusan]], in 1840 and 1841.
*[[Capture of Chusan|First]] and [[Capture of Chusan|second capture of Chusan]], in 1840 and 1841.
*At the battles of [[Battle of Amoy|Amoy]], [[Battle of Ningpo|Ningpo]], [[Battle of Chinhai|Chinhai]], [[Battle of Tsekee|Tsekee]], [[Battle of Chapoo|Chapoo]], [[Battle of Woosung|Woosung]], in the [[Yangtze River]], and in the [[Battle of Chinkiang|assault of Chinkiang]].
*Battles of [[Battle of Amoy|Amoy]], [[Battle of Ningpo|Ningpo]], [[Battle of Chinhai|Chinhai]], [[Battle of Tzeki|Tzeki]], [[Battle of Chapu|Chapu]], [[Battle of Woosung|Woosung]], in the [[Yangtze River]], and the [[Battle of Chinkiang|assault of Chinkiang]].<ref name=Joslin>{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|pages=109–111. Published Spink, London. 1988}}</ref>


This campaign became known as the First Opium War, ending in the seizure of [[Nanking]]. The resultant treaty opened five ports to trade, and ceded [[Hong Kong]] to [[Great Britain]].
This campaign became known as the First Opium War, ending in the seizure of [[Nanking]]. The resultant treaty opened five ports to trade, and ceded [[Hong Kong]] to [[Great Britain]].


== Description ==
== Description ==

The medal's obverse shows the diademed head of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA". The reverse has the same coat of Royal Arms and shield found on both the First, [[Second China War Medal|Second]] and [[China War Medal (1900)|Third China War Medal]]s with the inscription "ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM" and the word "CHINA" and the date "1842" in the exergue below. The First China War Medal's reverse was originally designed depicting the British lion devouring a Chinese dragon. However, this design was considered too insensitive to the Chinese and so the reverse described above was used. The non-swivelling suspender is plain and straight being sweated directly to the medal.<ref name=info>[http://www.britishmedals.info/first_china_war_medal.html] First China War Medal on British Medals Info website</ref>
[[File:Illustrated London News - 1846-02-14 - p108 - China medal.jpg|thumb|The medal as depicted in ''[[The Illustrated London News]]'', 14 February 1846]]

Obverse: the diademed head of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA". <br>Reverse: a shield bearing the Royal coat of arms with a palm tree and trophy of arms behind, with the inscription "{{lang|la|ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM|italic=no}}" above and "CHINA 1842" in the exergue below.<ref name=Mussell>{{Cite book|author=John Mussell (ed).|title=Medal Yearbook 2015.|page=139. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon}}</ref>

This reverse design was also used for the [[Second China War Medal|Second]] and [[China War Medal (1900)|Third China War Medal]]s.

[[File:China Medal 1842 first design.jpg|thumb|Original reverse design]]

The First China War Medal's reverse was originally designed depicting the British lion trampling on the fallen Chinese dragon. However, this was considered too insensitive to the Chinese and so the reverse described above was used, although a number of specimens of the first type were made.<ref name=Joslin>{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|pages=109–111. Published Spink, London. 1988}}</ref>

The non-swiveling suspender is plain and straight being [[Soldering|sweated]] directly to the medal.<ref name=info>[http://www.britishmedals.info/first_china_war_medal.html] First China War Medal on British Medals Info website</ref>

The {{convert|35|mm|in}} wide ribbon is crimson with wide yellow edges, the crimson representing the heraldic colour of Great Britain, and the yellow the imperial colour of China.<ref>''Ribbons and Medals'' by Captain H. Taprell Dorling, page 61 (1956, A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London)</ref>

No [[Medal bar|clasps]] were authorised for this medal.<ref name=Joslin>{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|pages=109–111. Published Spink, London. 1988}}</ref>


The medals were named in bold block capital letters with stars used to fill in the spaces as on the [[Waterloo Medal]]. However, since new punches were used for this medal the naming appears somewhat sharper than on Waterloo Medal examples.<ref name=info/>
The medals were named in bold block capital letters with stars used to fill in the spaces as on the [[Waterloo Medal]]. However, since new punches were used for this medal the naming appears somewhat sharper than on Waterloo Medal examples.<ref name=info/>


Those in receipt of this medal and who also qualified for the [[Second China War Medal]] in 1861 were supposed to receive the [[Medal bar|clasp]]s awarded with the second medal only. These clasps were intended to be fixed to this medal but due to the difference in the width and style of the suspender it was not known how this was actually to be done. As a result the clasps were often simply slipped over the ribbon which was sometimes replaced with the narrower 32mm type supplied with the second medal. Other recipients of this medal removed the original suspender and replaced it with one similar to that found on the second medal.<ref name=info/>
Recipients of this medal who also qualified for the [[Second China War Medal]] in 1861 received a clasp inscribed ''China 1842'' to add to their existing medal,<ref>''Ribbons and Medals'' by Captain H. Taprell Dorling, page 65 (1956, A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London)</ref> in addition to any clasps relating to the [[Second Opium War|second war]] to which they were entitled. Although these clasps were intended to be fixed to the earlier medal, the different width and style of the two suspenders meant that it was not clear how this was to be done. As a result, the clasps were often simply slipped over the ribbon which was sometimes replaced with the narrower 32mm type supplied with the second medal. Other recipients of the earlier medal replaced the original suspender with one similar to that found on the second medal.<ref name=info/>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://cas.awm.gov.au/heraldry/RELAWM14661 An example of the medal in the [[Australian War Memorial]]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120820000726/http://cas.awm.gov.au/heraldry/RELAWM14661 An example] of the medal in the [[Australian War Memorial]]
*[http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/collection/watson/page64.html Proof specimen in the [[Fitzwilliam Museum]] Collection]
*[http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/collection/watson/page64.html Proof specimen] of the original reverse in the [[Fitzwilliam Museum]] Collection


{{British campaign medals}}
{{British campaign medals}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:China War Medal (1842)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:China War Medal (1842)}}
[[Category:1842 establishments]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British campaign medals]]
[[Category:British campaign medals]]
[[Category:First Opium War]]
[[Category:First Opium War]]

Latest revision as of 04:29, 2 October 2023

China War Medal
Obverse and reverse of the medal.
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service
DescriptionSilver disk, 36mm diameter.
Presented bythe United Kingdom
EligibilityBritish forces
Campaign(s)First Anglo-Chinese War (1839–42)
ClaspsNone
Established5 January 1843 (1843-01-05)
Ribbon. 35mm: crimson with yellow edges

The China War Medal was issued by the British Government in 1843 to members of the British and Indian forces who took part in the First Opium War (1839–42). The medal was designed by William Wyon.

Recipients

[edit]

The China War Medal was originally intended by the Governor-General of India, in October 1842, to be awarded exclusively to all ranks of the Honourable East India Company's Forces. Instead, in 1843, under the direction of Queen Victoria, the British Government authorised its award to all members of the British Army, Royal Navy and the Indian Army and Navy, who had belonged to units that had "served with distinction" in China between 5 July 1840 and 29 August 1842. The award covered the following actions:

This campaign became known as the First Opium War, ending in the seizure of Nanking. The resultant treaty opened five ports to trade, and ceded Hong Kong to Great Britain.

Description

[edit]
The medal as depicted in The Illustrated London News, 14 February 1846

Obverse: the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA".
Reverse: a shield bearing the Royal coat of arms with a palm tree and trophy of arms behind, with the inscription "ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM" above and "CHINA 1842" in the exergue below.[2]

This reverse design was also used for the Second and Third China War Medals.

Original reverse design

The First China War Medal's reverse was originally designed depicting the British lion trampling on the fallen Chinese dragon. However, this was considered too insensitive to the Chinese and so the reverse described above was used, although a number of specimens of the first type were made.[1]

The non-swiveling suspender is plain and straight being sweated directly to the medal.[3]

The 35 millimetres (1.4 in) wide ribbon is crimson with wide yellow edges, the crimson representing the heraldic colour of Great Britain, and the yellow the imperial colour of China.[4]

No clasps were authorised for this medal.[1]

The medals were named in bold block capital letters with stars used to fill in the spaces as on the Waterloo Medal. However, since new punches were used for this medal the naming appears somewhat sharper than on Waterloo Medal examples.[3]

Recipients of this medal who also qualified for the Second China War Medal in 1861 received a clasp inscribed China 1842 to add to their existing medal,[5] in addition to any clasps relating to the second war to which they were entitled. Although these clasps were intended to be fixed to the earlier medal, the different width and style of the two suspenders meant that it was not clear how this was to be done. As a result, the clasps were often simply slipped over the ribbon which was sometimes replaced with the narrower 32mm type supplied with the second medal. Other recipients of the earlier medal replaced the original suspender with one similar to that found on the second medal.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. pp. 109–111. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  2. ^ John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 139. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.
  3. ^ a b c [1] First China War Medal on British Medals Info website
  4. ^ Ribbons and Medals by Captain H. Taprell Dorling, page 61 (1956, A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London)
  5. ^ Ribbons and Medals by Captain H. Taprell Dorling, page 65 (1956, A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London)
[edit]
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