BATTLE HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN CHINA, 1842-1900

Chinese War of 1840-1842—Canton—China, 1857-1860—Taku Forts—Pekin—China, 1900—Pekin, 1900.

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China, 1840 (with the Dragon).

This distinction was conferred on the regiments which participated in the first China War, under Sir Hugh (afterwards Lord) Gough, and is borne by the

Royal Irish.
Cameronians.
Border Regiment.
Royal Berkshires.
North Staffords.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
62nd Punjabis.
66th Punjabis.
74th Punjabis.

The first China War, generally known as the "Opium War," while not entailing any very severe fighting, cost us many hundred lives, owing to the neglect of the most elementary precautions on the part of the officials who were responsible for the fitting out of the expedition. The actual casus belli was the refusal of the Chinese Government to permit the importation of opium into the Empire. British merchants had been in the habit of importing the drug from India, and large fortunes had been amassed in this trade. When the edict was issued, there were large stocks of the drug in the warehouses of our fellow-countrymen, and its seizure entailed, it is said, a loss of £3,000,000. The British Commissioner on the spot insisted on the right of disposing of the opium, but the Chinese authorities put this beyond a doubt by destroying the forbidden article. We then demanded compensation, which was refused, and a force was despatched from India to enforce satisfaction and pecuniary compensation. This consisted of the 18th (Royal Irish), the 26th (Cameronians), and the 49th (Royal Berkshires), with a battalion of Bengal infantry, composed of volunteers from the whole of the Bengal army. Chusan was occupied with but little loss, and the Viceroy of the province sued for peace. Terms were arranged, the Chinese ceding Hong-Kong and paying an indemnity of 6,000,000 dollars. Grave doubts were felt as to the permanence of this arrangement, and our troops occupied certain points in the country. No efforts were made to provide them with suitable clothing or food, and the mortality was appalling, the Cameronians losing no less than 286 men between July 1, 1840, and January 1, 1841.

Early in 1841, weary of the vacillation of the Chinese, the British Government sent out considerable reinforcements, and Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough was placed in supreme command. His little army was thus composed:

Early in May, 1841, the forts at the entrance of the Canton River were bombarded and captured. The fleet then passed up the river, and on May 24 Canton itself was taken, after slight resistance, our losses being 14 killed and 91 of all ranks wounded. In the month of August Amoy was occupied, and in October Chusan was reoccupied, our losses being an officer and 19 men killed and wounded.

The winter of 1841-42 was spent in fruitless negotiation, and with the opening of the spring Sir Hugh Gough recommenced operations. In March, 1842, Ningpo was taken, and in the month of May Chapoo was captured, after a sharp fight, in which our losses were 6 officers and 51 of all ranks killed and wounded. In the month of July the fleet pushed up the Yangtse Kiang River, with a view of showing the Chinese that we could and we would reach the very heart of their country. A more determined resistance was met with at Ching-Kiang-Foo, which was carried with a loss of 13 officers and 111 of all ranks. This broke the back of the war-party. Emissaries came in suing for peace. The fresh terms included a war indemnity of 21,000,000 dollars and the opening of a number of ports to free and unrestricted trade.

List of Casualties.

The little army was well rewarded for its arduous services, and the following list of honours conferred for the China War of 1840-1842 effectually dispels the legend that the lavish distribution of rewards for military services is a product of the later Victorian era. Sir Hugh Gough was created a Baronet, the three Brigadiers received the Knighthood of the Bath, three officers were made Aides-de-Camp to Queen Victoria, twenty-nine received the Companionship of the Bath, eight were made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonels, and thirteen received the Brevet of Major. The young Queen was graciously pleased to allow the East India Company to strike a medal commemorative of the campaign, and officers and men of her regiments were authorized to wear this decoration. At the same time Her Majesty expressed her opinion that in future medals should only be granted by the Sovereign, and that it should not be left to a company of "merchant venturers" trading to the East Indies to issue decorations to her soldiers.

Canton (1858).

This distinction was conferred on the 59th Foot (now the East Lancashire Regiment) for its services when holding the city of Canton during the second Chinese War of 1857-1860.

The terms of the treaty entered into after the war of 1842 had never been faithfully observed by the Chinese. At last the seizure of a vessel called the Arrow, flying the British flag, compelled us to demand reparation. This was contemptuously refused, and in the early spring of 1857 a force was despatched from England to enforce respect to our flag. The outbreak of the Indian Mutiny necessitated the diversion of the regiments from China to India, so the punishment was delayed. General Straubenzee was then in command of the troops in China, which consisted of the 59th (East Lancashires), four battalions of sepoys, and a couple of battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry.

Sir Michael Seymour, the naval Commander-in-Chief, who was in supreme command of the naval and military forces, was acting in conjunction with a French brigade, and it was deemed advisable to seize Canton with the available forces, rather than allow the Chinese to strengthen its defences, and so increase the difficulties of capture.

In the month of January, 1858, the Admiral, after consultation with General Straubenzee, determined to attempt the capture of Canton. The force at his disposal consisted of the 59th (East Lancashires), two strong battalions of Royal Marines, and a brigade of bluejackets numbering 1,800 men. This force was placed under the command of Major-General Straubenzee. The Chinese showed considerable determination, but the energy and gallantry of our bluejackets carried all before them, and Canton was occupied, with a total loss of 2 officers and 14 men killed, 4 officers and 112 men wounded, the 59th (East Lancashires) contributing to the casualty list 2 officers and 2 men killed, 1 officer and 17 men wounded.

China (1857-1860).

This distinction was conferred on the regiments which took part in the operations in China during the years 1857-1860, and is now borne by the following corps of the Indian Army:

7th Rajputs.
10th Jats.
11th Rajputs.
15th Sikhs.
22nd Punjabis.
27th Punjabis.
105th Mahratta L.I.

The necessity for putting forth our whole strength in the suppression of the rebellion in India led, as I have said on p. 321, to a temporary cessation of the military operations in China. Lord Elgin, who had been deputed by the Home Government to carry through the negotiations, was naturally anxious to do so without the effusion of blood. He had a considerable naval force at his disposal, and a number of native troops had been sent from India, more with a view of removing them from the sphere of temptation than with the intention of their carrying out serious military operations.

In 1858 the Chinese Commissioners agreed to our demands that the treaty of peace between the two nations should be concluded at Pekin; but on realizing that Lord Elgin was determined to carry out this clause, every obstacle was thrown in his way. Finally, when Sir Frederick Bruce attempted to pass up the Peiho River, he was fired on, and three of our gunboats sunk. The Indian Mutiny was now at an end, and Sir Hope Grant, who as a cavalry leader had gained great distinction in its suppression, was nominated to the chief command of the China Expeditionary Force. Sir Hope had a double claim to this distinction, for he had acted as Brigade Major to Lord Saltoun in the war of 1840-42. It was very evident from the tone of the correspondence of the Chinese Commissioners that all memory of the defeats they had experienced in the war of 1840-1842 had been effaced. Our Envoys were treated with supercilious disdain, and we were gravely warned of the dangers we were incurring in thus treating the Celestial Empire. In reply to our ultimatum they wrote:

"The contents of the letter of the English Envoy fills us with the greatest astonishment, and the demand for an indemnity is against all decorum. The language in which the English letter is couched is too insubordinate and extravagant even to be discussed. In future the British Ambassador must not be so wanting in decorum, or he will give cause for serious trouble."

In face of such language as this, it was evident that nothing short of a sharp lesson inflicted at the capital itself would teach this irrepressible people the power of our arms, and preparations were at once made for the final advance of the troops, under Sir Hope Grant.

Casualties during the Operations in China, 1858-1861.

Chinese Expeditionary Force of 1860.

The army, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Hope Grant, which was to act in conjunction with a French force, numbered some 16,000 all told, and was brigaded as under:

To each infantry division a field battery was attached, and a troop of horse artillery acted with General Pattle's cavalry brigade. At the immediate disposal of the Commander-in-Chief were three field and two mountain batteries, a battalion of Sikhs, a company of Royal Engineers, under that fine soldier the late Sir Gerald Graham, who had recently gained the Victoria Cross for a series of acts of gallantry in the Crimea, and with him were two companies of the Madras Sappers and Miners.

The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) were left to garrison Hong-Kong, whilst other points on the coast were occupied by native troops from Bengal and Madras.

Taku Forts (August 12, 1860).

This battle honour was awarded to the regiments which assaulted the Taku Forts at the commencement of the second phase of the Chinese War of 1860:

King's Own Dragoon Guards.
Royal Scots.
Queen's.
Buffs.
East Surrey.
Essex.
King's Royal Rifles.
Hampshire.
11th Probyn's Horse.
19th Fane's Horse.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
20th Brownlow's Punjabis.
23rd Pioneers.

Early in June, 1860, the force, under Sir Hope Grant, disembarked in Talien-Wan Bay, where the 99th (Wiltshire) and the 19th Punjabis were left to hold the base, whilst preparations were made for the advance on Pekin. The first objective was the capture of the Taku Forts, at the entrance of the Peiho River—the forts which had inflicted such a serious blow to our prestige in the previous year. On August 20 these were carried by storm by Napier's division, the colours of the 44th and the 67th being almost simultaneously placed on the ramparts by Lieutenants Rogers and Chaplin of those regiments. Both of these officers received the Victoria Cross for their heroism, both having been badly wounded in their gallant dash for the prize of honour.

Casualties at the Storming of the Taku Forts.

Pekin (October 12, 1860).

This battle honour is borne by the regiments which accompanied General Sir Hope Grant to Pekin during the second Chinese War of 1860:

King's Dragoon Guards.
Royal Scots.
Queen's R.W. Surrey.
King's Royal Rifles.
Hampshire.
Wiltshire.
11th K.E.O. Lancers (Probyn's Horse).
19th Lancers (Fane's Horse).
2nd Q.O. Sappers and Miners.
20th Brownlow's Punjabis.
23rd Pioneers.

After the fall of the Taku Forts, the Chinese Envoys made every effort to induce Sir Hope Grant to forgo his march on the capital, but both the English and the French commanders felt this was a point that could not be waived. In the course of the negotiations some members of the Staff were seized by the Chinese, and, after undergoing the most brutal torture, were foully murdered. Such conduct merely emphasized the necessity for the occupation of the capital, and on October 5 the allied armies entered Pekin, having experienced but slight opposition during the advance, the survivors of the little band who had been so treacherously captured having been previously released.

Other Casualties in Action during the March to Pekin.

China, 1900.

This distinction is borne by the regiments which took part in the expedition to China in the year 1900, under the command of General Sir Alfred Gaselee, in conjunction with the allied army, which was entrusted to the supreme command of Field-Marshal the Count Waldersee, a German officer of distinction.

15th Cavalry.
33rd Q.O. Light Cavalry.
2nd Q.O. Light Infantry.
1st K.E.O. Sappers and Min.
2nd Q.O. Sappers and Min.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
6th Jat. Light Infantry.
14th Sikhs.
20th Brownlow's Punjabis.
34th Pioneers.
57th Wilde's Rifles.
61st Pioneers.
63rd Light Infantry.
88th Carnatic Infantry.
91st Punjabis.
98th Infantry.
122nd Rajputana Infantry.
130th Baluchis.
4th Gurkhas.

Anti-dynastic and anti-Christian troubles had been rife in China for some time previous to the Boxer Rising of 1900. Little is really known of the Boxers, except that they formed a secret society, having as their object the extermination of all Christians and the overthrow of the existing dynasty. The murder of some English missionaries in the neighbourhood of the capital and a general sense of insecurity led the various foreign Ministers in Pekin to call up a mixed force of Marines and bluejackets from the allied fleets in Chinese waters for the defence of the Embassies. This step was replied to by the Chinese by the murder of the German Minister and a general attack on the Embassies, which for a period of eight weeks were exposed to one of the closest sieges of modern times. Thanks to the gallantry of the British Minister, Major Sir Claude Macdonald—a soldier who had served his apprenticeship in that excellent regiment the Highland Light Infantry, and who was unanimously nominated to the supreme command of the little garrison, numbering only 400 officers and men—the Legations, though hard pressed, were enabled to hold out until assistance arrived.

In June, 1900, on learning of the precarious situation of the Legations, Admiral Seymour, commanding our fleet in Chinese waters, and the senior of the foreign Admirals, essayed to march to their relief with a mixed force of 2,000 seamen and Marines from the various fleets. His little force included Americans, Austrians, French, German, Italian, and Russians, as well as our own men, our contingent numbering close on half the total. The Admiral found his force too small to cope with the hordes of Boxers, and he was compelled to make a stand at Tientsin. In the meantime the European Powers, together with Japan, were hastily despatching troops for the double relief of the Legations and of the Admiral. On June 16 the allied fleets bombarded and seized the Taku Forts, as well as the Chinese flotilla, the torpedo-boats built by the Germans for the Chinese fleet being gallantly cut out from under the guns of the forts by a young English Lieutenant, Roger Keyes. By the beginning of August the Indian brigades, under Sir Alfred Gaselee, reached the mouth of the Peiho, and after a series of small engagements pushed its way up to Pekin, and on August 14 the relief of the beleaguered Legations was accomplished.

Pekin, 1900.

This honour was awarded to the regiments which accompanied General Sir Alfred Gaselee to the relief of the beleaguered Embassies in Pekin, when besieged by Chinese during the Boxer Rising of 1900:

Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
1st Duke of York's Own Lancers.
7th Rajputs.
51st Sikhs.
24th Punjabis.

I have given on p. 344 the names of the regiments which are entitled to bear the distinction "China, 1900," on their colours and appointments. It is difficult to fathom the reasoning which has denied this distinction to the regiments which accompanied General Gaselee to Pekin. As well deny a regiment the honour "Sevastopol" because it had been already granted one for the Alma. Sir Alfred Gaselee's task was no easy one. The relieving force was composed of many nationalities, and international jealousies were not unknown. Some of the allied commanders were desirous of delaying the advance until the arrival of the whole of their contingents. Gaselee and General Chaffee, the chief of the American contingents, set their faces against this. The lives of women and children were at stake, and the English General let it be distinctly understood that he was going to march on a certain day, whatever the others might decide. The Americans and the Japanese were one with him. On August 14 the relieving force started.

Little resistance was met with, and on August 20 General Gaselee had the satisfaction of learning that, thanks to his decision, the lives of the beleaguered garrison of the Legations had been saved. The force he took with him was dangerously small, but he had been compelled to leave a strong detachment, under Generals O'Moore Creagh and Lorne Campbell, to guard his long line of communications, as well as to leave garrisons at Hong-Kong and Shanghai, where there was a considerable amount of anti-Christian feeling. Originally his brigades had been organized as under:

Sir Norman Stewart, as the second senior officer, and as the one who had the widest experience of war, was selected by General Gaselee to command the brigade which was to have the honour of relieving the garrisons.

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