Original British Boxer Rebellion Rim Engraved China War Medal (1900) For Driver Joseph Warren, B Battery, Royal Horse Artillery Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The China War Medal 1900 was a British campaign medal approved on 1 January 1902 for issue to British and Indian land and sea troops who served during the Boxer Rebellion, between 10 June and 31 December 1900. The medal was issued in silver to combatants and in bronze to native, namely Indian, bearers, drivers and servants.

The obverse shows a crowned and veiled effigy of Queen Victoria, facing left, with the legend “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX” around the upper perimeter.

The reverse shows the same shield bearing the Royal Arms, with a palm tree and trophy of arms behind and the inscription ‘ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM’ above, as found on the First and Second China War Medals. ‘CHINA 1900’ appears in the exergue below. The 1.25 inches (32 mm) ribbon is crimson with wide yellow edges.

The design was similar to the China War Medal given for the campaigns in 1842 and 1850s, with the reverse identical except the year, and the effigy of Queen Victoria on the obverse changed from the original by William Wyon, to one showing an older Queen, created by George William de Saulles for the Queen’s South Africa Medal, and the word et Imperatrix added.

The recipient’s name and details were either impressed or engraved on the edge of the medal. This medal is engraved with the following:

DRIVER J. WARREN. B. BY. R.H.A.

This medal was presented to Joseph Warren, B. Battery, Royal Horse Artillery without any clasps. Not much is known about his military service during the Boxer Rebellion but he was recalled into service at the age of 41 in 1914. He served in Sierra Leone from 1917-1919. Sierra Leone was isolated from the direct effects of the war because it had no borders with German colonies, however Freetown rapidly became a key base for British maritime operations in the central Atlantic. Men from Sierra Leone also participated in the campaigns to capture the German colony of the Cameroons and even served as far afield as Mesopotamia. Warren was still on the reserve roster up to 1950 and would therefore be entitled to the British Long Service Medal.

The overall condition of the medal is fine, displaying a lovely tarnish on the silver portions and an age toned ribbon.

A lovely example of a hard to find medal that comes more than ready for further research and display.