TOPIC:

Hi

Am I correct in thinking that the combination of a Queen’s medal with the `Relief of Ladysmith’ clasp and a China 1900 medal with the `Relief of Pekin’ clasp was only awarded to men of H.M.S. Terrible?

Such a conclusion appears to be confirmed by a search of the Dix Noonan Webb Lot Archive which indicates that the only such legitimate combinations sold were those to men of H.M.S. Terrible. It refers to a couple of groups sold in the past to men of other units, but indicates that their entitlement is not accepted and the naming of such medals is suspect.

If such pairs are limited to those awarded to the men of H.M.S. Terrible then in that event it appears at angloboerwar.com/unit-information/rn-shi...hms-terrible?start=1 that there are 88 such possible combinations.

The surviving QSA and China medal combinations to men of H.M.S. Terrible that records indicate are known to exist appear to be those issued to Midn. A.E. Ackland (sold DNW 2013); Ord. P.J.Cox (sold Bonhams 2006); AB J.W. Dennis (sold DNW 2020); Midn. R.S. Down (sold DNW 2005); L/S T.R.H. Gardiner (Museum of Royal New Zealand Navy); Pte. C. Gulliver RM (sold DNW 1996); Midn. R.B.C Hutchinson (sold DNW 2012); Stoker E. Morgan (indicated to be in a private collection); AB H.A. Sandby (sold Lyon & Turnbull 2020); AB D. Shepherd (indicated to be in a private collection); E.C. Shepherd (indicated to be in a private collection); Ord. L.A.F. Thomas (indicated to be in a private collection); AB S.J. Warren (sold DNW 2007); L/S A. H. White (sold DNW 2003); and Ord. E.C. White (sold DNW 2011). By my estimation 15 are known.

Another five single China 1900 medals separated from their Queen’s medal partners are apparently known: those to AB J. Barrett; Ord. F.W. Brennan; AB G. Kewell; AB F.C Randall; and Sergt. E Roper RM.

If anyone can enlighten me I look forward to learning more.

Best regards
Peter Jordi

According to this article 88 were issued - "Only 88 medals with this clasp were awarded to men from HMS Terrible who had also been awarded a Relief of Ladysmith clasp on a QSA after qualifying for that clasp on another continent a few months earlier."

www.omsa.org/double-relief/

Peter,

BB&M p 462-3 lists 35 ships that received the China Medal with 11 receiving Relief of Pekin or RoP/Taku Forts.

Presuming that men did not change ships (which would have been difficult), HMS Terrible is the only vessel to have served in South Africa.

I think, to be quite honest, it is nice to see both medals together, to a single recipient, notwithstanding any clasp entitlement, perhaps I am just easily pleased?

Full listing of the 88 on the ABW website here.

David

angloboerwar.com/unit-information/rn-shi...hms-terrible?start=1

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith 125048 Lg. Smn. A. H. White, H.M.S. Terrible.) officially engraved naming;
China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (A. H. White, Lg. Sea., H.M.S. Terrible);
1914-15 Star (125048, A. H. White. P.O., 1, R.N.);
British War and Victory Medals (125048 A. H. White P.O. 1 R.N.;
Royal Navy LS&GC VR, narrow suspension, impressed naming (A. H. White, P.O. 2Cl, H.M.S. Terrible.)

Ex John Cooper Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001.

Only 88 officers and other ranks of H.M.S. Terrible received the combination of QSA, Relief of Ladysmith and China 1900, Relief of Pekin. See article entitled Double Relief Medals to HMS Terrible, by David Humphry, published Medal News, May 2002.

Alfred Henry White was born at Warblington, Hampshire, on 23 September 1868, and joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard HMS St Vincent on 2 November 1883; Boy 1st Class, November 1884; Ordinary Seaman, September 1886; Able Seaman, February 1888; Leading Seaman, July 1898; Petty Officer 2nd Class, September 1901; Petty Officer 1st Class, July 1905. Served aboard HMS Terrible from 24 March 1898 to 24 October 1902, and received his LS&GC medal in that ship on 11 March 1902. He transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve on 21 September 1906, and rejoined on 2 August 1914 as P.O.1. He was invalided out on 24 July 1919.