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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 135

The China Medal awarded to Corporal T. J. Hanmer, Royal Welch Fusiliers, who had his arm blown off at Tientsin Railway Station on 13 July 1900

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (4562 Corpl: T. J. Hanmer. 2nd Rl: Welsh Fus:), very fine

Thomas J. Hanmer was born at Denbighshire on 12 September 1873 and was a watchmaker's apprentice upon his enlistment on 2 January 1895, having previously served with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion. Promoted Lance-Corporal on 23 July 1896, Corporal on 1 August 1898, Lance-Sergeant on 20 November 1899, he reverted to Corporal on 14 June 1900.

Hanmer served with the unit during their occupation of Crete before proceeding to China. During that campaign, he had his arm blown off on 13 July 1900 during the shelling of Tientsin railway station.

The date of his wound is confirmed in the Regimental History and by the London Daily News (3 August 1900, refers), being listed as 'Dangerously Wounded'.

Returned home on 1 December 1900, he was discharged on 16 April 1901 and went to live at 6 Manor Road, Derby.

An entry from the Derby Daily Telegraph of 6 October 1937 makes an interesting mention of him:

'Sir,- I am convinced that the majority of your readers experienced a thrill of pride when they knew that Mr R. G. Howe, former Counsellor to the British Embassy in China, had been recalled from leave to take over the duties of the Ambassador, Sir Hughes Knatchbull-Hugessen.

I have recently received a letter from my boy, Lance-Corporal R. E. Jones, 2/3 Royal Welch Fusiliers, who are now in Shanghai engaged in the protection of British nationals and property in the International Settlements side by side with the U.S. Marines.

It is remarkable how history repeats itself with this battalion and the U.S. Marines. Thirty-seven years ago during the Boxer Rebellion, Tientsin was relieved by the U.S. Marines and the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

1900 REMEMBERED

Ex-President Hoover was at that time a young engineer in Tientsin and worked wonders in the organisation for the feeding and housing of thousands of refugees and in the defence of the city. On August 4, 1900, an advance was made from Tientsin by the Allied Powers for the relief of the Legations in Pekin, and they entered on August 14, to the great relief of the gallant defenders who were down to their last bag of rice and living on mule flesh.

The battalion arrived at Shanghai from Hong Kong on August 17, 1937. There were none of the veterans of 1900 to exchange greetings but the remarkable coincidence was not overlooked by Brig.-Gen. Richards U.S.A. (recently retired) who was with us in the Boxer Risin. He cabled the O.C. United States Marines the following: "The Royal Welch Fusiliers and St. David." Thereupon greetings were exchanged with Col. Barchard, O.C. Royal Welch Fusiliers, and the spirit of mutual regard was suitably revived by all ranks.

MARCH DEDICATED

The late Commander Sousa, U.S. Marines, composed the March "The Royal Welch Fusiliers" dedicated to the battalion as a lasting testimonial to the friendship between the two units. Sergeant J. Hanmer, of Manor-road, and myself were invited by the regiment to attend the presentation at Tidworth in 1930 of the original manuscript. The ceremony was attended by the American Ambassador, and Commander Sousa conducted the band when playing the march.

The ceremony was attended by about 200 officers and other ranks, survivors of the 1900 operations. There is a strong Welsh element in Derby, who no doubt will be pleased to know the Royal Welch Fusiliers are loyally doing their job. - Yours, etc., Colour-Sergeant R. JONES, 2nd R. W. Fusiliers, 328 Ormaston road, Derby.'

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£550