The China Medal, Buglers and Bandsmen.

by Marcher

Glancing through one of the cabinets in the medal room at the Royal Marines Museum I noticed a set of medals belonging to BdSgt H H Matthews. They consisted of the three First World War medals, commonly known as 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' and the China 1900 medal. This meant that H H Matthews must have been a Royal Navy Bandsman in 1900 later transferring to the Royal Naval School of Music to become a Royal Marine Musician. A short distance away in the drawer was another China 1900 medal that belonged to Bugler J E Norris of the RMA. A third belonged to C T Surry who became a Bandmaster.

Subsequent research revealed that Bandsman Matthews played French horn and was a member of the band on board HMS Centurion, a Portsmouth built battleship of 10,500 tons. Bugler Norris, with Bugler Morris, was with the RMA Detachment on board HMS Barfleur, a similar ship to Centurion but built in Chatham Dockyard, while Bandsman Surry was on board HMS Goliath. So what was happening during 1900 in China that involved the Royal Marine Artillery as well as Bandsmen of the Royal Navy? and what other Bandsmen and Buglers were in China at this time and what were they doing?

A total of thirty-five British ships were involved in the action for which the men were awarded the China Medal 1900. In that year Britain, with many other world powers, had Legations in Peking and 'concessions' in Tientsin and other major cities. During the previous decade the activities of foreign powers and Christian missionaries had resulted in Chinese insurgents forming the Society of Righteous Harmonious Fists that became known as the 'Boxers'. The Boxers overran the areas around Peking and Tientsin and attacked railway tracks and stations, as well as mission stations, with the result that the Royal Navy's China Fleet was asked to assist.

Seymour's Naval Brigade

The China Fleet's Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, believed that the foreign powers had forced themselves onto the Chinese nation and saw the British task as the protection of European lives, but without the need to attack Chinese people or damage property. So he sent seventy-six Royal Marines under Captains Strouts, Halliday and Wray to reinforce the Peking Legation guard. The men, who were from HMS Orlando's detachment and the Wei-Hai-Wei garrison, included Bugler Webb of Portsmouth RMLI. He also sent a mixed force of one hundred and thirty marines and seamen to Tientsin, which was approximately a third of the distance between the mouth of the River Pei-Ho, guarded by the four Taku Forts, and Peking. Later, on the 9th June, news from Peking prompted Seymour to send an International Naval Brigade to its assistance. The Naval Brigade landed at Taku at the mouth of the River Peiho and then marched to Tientsin on the 10th, the intention being to transport them by train to Peking. The Brigade was to consist of 915 British seamen and marines with smaller numbers from the German, Russian, French, American, Japanese, Italian and Austrian fleets. Whilst the brigade was being assembled the Boxers blew up the railway line with the result that the column of five special trains moved very slowly, replacing track as it went, and with the Boxers blowing up the track behind them. Several Boxer attacks were beaten off but when Chinese Imperial troops joined the Boxers, supplies for the International Naval Brigade were threatened to such an extent that the trains were abandoned and the force withdrew along the west bank of the Peiho. The fifty wounded, and heavy weapons, followed downriver in Junks. The brigade marched and fought sixteen hours a day on half rations and after three days of this was seriously short of ammunition whilst the Junks were overflowing with wounded. Eventually the artillery was pushed overboard to lighten the load. On the 22nd June they found a Chinese arsenal at Hsiku, just outside the Tientsin northern city wall. A party of RMLI commanded by Major Johnson of HMS Centurion attacked the north corner with such vigour that the Chinese fled before them and the arsenal was captured. Buglers J L Edwards and A Priscott from Chatham and Portsmouth respectively were with the attacking force. Whilst it allowed the men the relative luxury of arms, ammunition, food and cover, this did nothing to help the plight of the wounded who now numbered two hundred and forty.

The Taku Forts

Meanwhile, the Boxers took control of the native city of Tientsin, known as the Walled city, on the 15th and put pressure on the International Settlement that was within it. With Seymour's force pinned down at Hsiku and Captain Bayley, of HMS Aurora, ashore at Tientsin with the impossible task of keeping rail links open, fighting began with regular Chinese soldiers now allied with the Boxers. Included in Bailey's force were the RN Band Corporal and three Bandsmen from HMS Aurora. Just before the heavy fighting of the 15th June began, Commander David Beatty brought a force of one hundred and fifty sailors, and two Buglers, from HMS Barfleur to reinforce Bayley at Tientsin. On the 16th the Chinese began mining the entrance to the River Peiho and seized the railway near Taku - the Chinese government were trying to block the route inland to Tientsin and Peking. Since Seymour had not been in touch for several days, following the destruction of the telegraph lines by the Boxers, a Council of Senior Naval Officers decided to risk even more confrontation with the Chinese Imperial forces by attacking the forts at Taku at the mouth of the Peiho River. These forts were equipped with modern Krupp coastal artillery but the guns could only fire out to sea. Knowing this the 900 attacking marines and sailors were put into two destroyers and eight shallow-draught gunboats which crossed the sand-bar and sailed upriver putting the sailors and marines from seven nations (the Americans did not take part) ashore to attack the North-West Fort at 0300hrs on the 18th. With this force were RMA Buglers C L Morris and J E Norris. The allied guns opened fire at first light hitting two magazines and blowing guns off their mounts. The fort was captured by a bayonet charge at 0600 hrs, the North Fort was stormed a few minutes later and then the two forts on the South bank surrendered.

Tientsin

At least 10,000 Chinese troops with 60 modern artillery pieces were in and around Tientsin whilst the defenders tried to hold a five-mile perimeter around the International Settlement with only 2,400 men. From the 17th to the 19th heavy fighting took place in the city. On the 20th the attacks slackened and four horsemen, an Englishman and three Cossacks, made a dash through the Chinese lines to Taku for assistance. A force of 500 men was sent to Tientsin but was turned back four miles from the city. Captains Doig and Lloyd (RMLI) from the Endymion and Aurora led a party of marines, including Buglers Constable and Parker from Endymion and Bugler Cook from Aurora, from the arsenal towards Tientsin in an attempt to reach the Foreign Settlement but they were forced to turn back. On the 21st the Chinese government, mainly as a result of the attacks on the Taku Forts, had declared war on the Allies. A mixed force of 8,000 men eventually relieved Tientsin on the 23rd June. The Chinese forces fell back on Peking allowing a reconnaissance in force by Russian Cossacks and they discovered Seymour's force surrounded in the Hsiku Arsenal. They returned to Tientsin where, although the International Settlement had been relieved, the Chinese were consolidating. The Chinese re-occupied the Hsiku Arsenal but a large blow was dealt them when the Allied forces destroyed the Tientsin Arsenal on the 27th June. On this day Bugler Carter from HMS Terrible was shot in the leg. The Japanese occupied the Tientsin racecourse and this allowed the Allies, on the 9th July, to manoeuvre into a position where they could blow-up the Hsiku Arsenal. The loss of these two arsenals seriously weakened the Chinese capacity to wage war. 5,000 Allied troops attacked Tientsin on the 13th July and Chatham Bugler Polkinghorne, one of two Buglers from the Wei-Hai-Wei garrison - the other being Bugler Adcock - received a bullet wound to the arm. Following two days of hard fighting in which casualties to both sides were very high, the Chinese retreated form the city. Buglers Ryman and Glass were also involved in fighting in and around the British Concession.

The Naval Brigades were sent back to their ships, although some had to return to take part in the relief of Peking.

Peking

The Allied intention of regrouping before moving on Peking was shaken when a messenger arrived with the news that, contrary to reports of a massacre, the Legations were still being held but food and ammunition were desperately needed. 20,000 men, including 3,000 British troops (of which 300 were RMLI) left Tientsin on the 4th August. A battle took place at Pei Tsang where the Japanese and Russians did most of the fighting. The Chinese regrouped and prepared to defend Yang Tsun. This time the Americans and British led the assault on the good system of trenches and earthworks. Despite the defences and the terribly hot weather the Allies had control of the town by nightfall. Tungchow was the next obstacle but the Japanese, leading at this point, entered a city that had been deserted by the Imperial troops and desecrated by the Boxers before they had fled. The British General Gaselee halted here and prepared for the final twelve-mile thrust to Peking. He was anxious to avoid the glory seeking competitiveness that had been shown by members of the Allied force, especially the Japanese and the Russians.
The plan was for co-ordinated assaults on each of the city's four gates. The Russians would attack the Tung Chih gate and the Americans the Tung Pien gate whilst the Japanese and the British assaulted the Chi Hua and the Sha Huo gates respectively. By the night of the 13th all troops were in position but, instead of making camp, the Russians decided against a co-ordinated attack, moved towards Peking and by cutting across the American's front attacked the Tung Pien gate - the American's objective. The attack was not particularly successful and then the Americans and Japanese broke camp early, all of which left General Gasalee with no alternative but to order a general assault instead of the planned co-ordinated attack. Not having a gate to attack the Americans decided to assault the city wall and, with amazing good fortune, chose a part of the wall that was unmanned!

The Royal Artillery blasted down the Sha Huo gate and the British moved into the city, entering the Legation area through the dry drainage canal, lifting the 55 day siege. Next day the Americans - without the agreement of the Allies - entered the Forbidden City in the centre of Peking and, after a very strong defence by the Chinese and as a result of the protests of the Allies, withdrew before the task was complete.

The Allies continued to fight and subdue the Boxers until General Gasalee's forces captured the last major centre of Boxer resistance, Po Ting Fu.

Legation Guard

What had happened to the Royal Marine Legation Guard that had arrived in Peking on the 31st May, amongst whom, was Bugler Webb? From the 13th June the detachment was constantly on the alert and were on both the defensive and the offensive. Boxers frequently attacked the Legation at different points, using different means. Patrols were sent out to bring in native Christians and, on one such occasion, Captain L S T Halliday, with British and German Marines, rescued several hundred Chinese Christians from the Catholic Mission where they were being systematically massacred by the Boxers. Those surviving were rescued and about 300 Boxers were killed. Attempts were made by the Boxers to set the buildings close to the Legation on fire. On the 24th June Captain Halliday, with 30 Marines, was sent to clear a number of houses of the enemy but, almost immediately was seriously wounded. He managed to kill four out of five of his attackers, later being awarded the Victoria Cross for this action. The Chinese brought up artillery at various times and sorties were made to capture or destroy them. Dirty tricks were used by the Chinese including phoney cease-fires and promises of protection. The assaults continued throughout July and August until the siege was lifted on the 14th.

Whilst this is far from being a story of music making and ceremonial it is nevertheless a testament to the hard and dangerous life known by the Naval Bandsmen and the Buglers of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and the Royal Marine Artillery. As well as the China Medal itself three bars were issued: Taku Forts - awarded to 3 Buglers, Relief of Peking - awarded to 11 Buglers and the Defence of the Legation - awarded to only one Bugler. A further 17 Buglers received the China 1900 medal.

Buglers were with their Detachments on board HMS Arethusa (Bug Compton - Chatham Division, RMLI); HMS Aurora (Bugs Cook and Carter of Plymouth Division, RMLI); HMS Barfleur (Bug Ryman of Portsmouth Division, RMLI and Bug Glass of the RMA); HMS Bonaventure (Bug Kimmings - Plymouth); HMS Centurion (Bugs Edwards and Priscott - Chatham and Portsmouth respectively); HMS Dido (Bug Tindall - Chatham); HMS Endymion (Bugs Constable and Parker - Portsmouth and Bug Wyld - Chatham); HMS Goliath (Bugs Brown and Wadley of the RMA and Chatham respectively); HMS Hermione (Bug Coles - Plymouth); HMS Isis (Bug Donker - Chatham); HMS Orlando (Bug Ettie - Portsmouth); HMS Pique (Bug Browne - Plymouth); HMS Terrible (Bugs Carter, Armitage and Giddings - Portsmouth); HMS Undaunted (Bugs Moore and Priddis - Plymouth) and HMS Walleroo (Bug Grady - Chatham). In addition Bug Webb - Portsmouth served at the Peking Legation, Bugs Morris and Norris - both RMA were at the Taku Forts and Bugs Adcock, Polkinghorne, Hearn and Skinner - all Chatham except Hearn who was Plymouth - came from the Naval Depot at Wei-Hai-Wei to serve with the International Force. Bands were aboard the battleships Centurion, Goliath, and Barfleur; the 1st class cruisers Endymion and Terrible and the armoured cruisers Orlando, Aurora and Undaunted. In addition the 2nd class cruisers Dido, Hermione, Isis and Bonaventure and the sloop Rosario each had a Musician.