This medal was issued by the government of Hong Kong and awarded to members of the Army and Navy, together with
some civilians, for services during the outbreak of bubonic plague in the colony between
5th May and 3rd September 1894. The award was not allowed to be worn in uniform
as this was not a service medal. The medal was issued in gold to officers and senior civilians, and in silver for other recipients.
Approximately 40 gold and 350 silver medals were issued.
The obverse shows a soldier man fending off a figure of Death who is
aiming his spear at a plague-striken Chinese man laid on a table. A
woman, symbolising Charity, has her right hand on the patient's heart and
her left hand holding a bottle of medicine. One the left the words
'Hong Kong' in Chinese characters. A scrolls contains the date 1894.
The reverse contains two inscriptions 'For services rendered during the
plague of 1894' and 'Presented by the Hong Kong Community'.
The main recipients of this award were 300 men of the
Shropshire Light Infantry.
There were other awards, approximately 50, to the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers
and civilians, including policemen and nurses.
The naming is in impressed capitals giving the recipients rank, name and
regiment. The ribbon is of red with yellow edges and two thin yellow
stripes down the centre.
A partial list of recipients can be found on this link:
http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/Regiments/ksli/shrop_hongkong.htm.
One officer and six men lost their lives during the plague.
An exceptional Hong Kong Plague and long service group of eight awarded
to Warrant Officer Class 2 J R Makin, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was
decorated by the Royal Humane Society for his gallant deeds in the Colony in
1894. Hong Kong Plague 1894, silver issue (John R. Makin), officially
impressed in the usual style, QSA (5) CC TH RofL Tr LN (6856 L. Cpl.,
R.A.M.C.), KSA (2) (6856 Cpl., RAMC), 1914-15 Star (60049 Sjt.,
RAMC), BWM, VM (60049 WO Cl 2, RAMC), Army LS&GC, ED VII (6856 Corpl, RAMC), Royal Humane Society’s Medal for Lifesaving, bronze,
small (Pte, Medical S. Corps, 13th Sept. 1894), surname obscured by
bruising, complete with riband buckle.
John Rickard Makin was seconded for services in the Glassworks Hospital,
Hong Kong in June 1894, together with one other Army Medical Service orderly
- see Dr. Lowson’s report on “The Epidemic of Bubonic Plague in Hong Kong
1894” which appeared in The Hong Kong Government Gazette on 13 April 1895
(The Whitewash Brigade refers and states ‘possible recipient of a silver
medal’). Makin, and Private F. Miller, also of the Medical Service
Corps, were awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal for the
following incident: ‘At great personal risk, rescued Private J.
Kynaston, 1st Battalion,Shropshire Light Infantry, from drowning at Hong
Kong, on the 13 September 1894’ (Case 27479 refers). Makin, who was
discharged as a Warrant Officer in October 1918, was also awarded the Silver
War Badge. DNW Jul 04 £4,300
(Picture courtesy of DNW)
Hong Kong Plague 1894, silver issue (Cpl J Graham, R.E.). Dixon
Summer 06 £1,990. Only 1 gold and 13 silver medals known to the REs.
This contradicts the statement of DNW for Sapr Coventry.
Hong Kong Plague 1894, silver issue (Private J. Baugh, S.L.I.). DNW
Sep 04 £1,400.
Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Sapper H. Coventry, R.E.).
A member of the Hong Kong Company Royal Engineers. Four
officers and 33 other ranks of the Royal Engineers are believed to have been
entitled to the medal. DNW Apr 04 £1,600.
Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Private E. Bryant, S.L.I.). DNW Dec 03
£1,400.
Hong Kong Plague 1894, silver issue (Private A. Smith, S.L.I.). DNW
Jul 03 £980.
Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Private M. Warby, S.L.I.). DNW Nov 91 £480.
