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Auction: 22075 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 12

China 1842 (William Young. 55th Regiment Foot.), original suspension and riband, likely mounted as worn, small edge bruise, otherwise toned, good very fine

The 55th (Westmoreland) Regiment of Foot saw a great deal of service during the First Opium War of 1839-42. Deployed to China in 1841, they participated in the Battle of Amoy in August of that year and were the first to land from the boats at the disembarkation and subsequent capture of Chusan that October. During this action, the 55th assaulted Guards Hill under heavy fire but successfully took the position before going on to capture the heights above Tinghai; they then planted their Regimental Colours on the walls of the city.
On 10 October the regiment participated in the Battle of Chinhai, forming the garrison of that city until the following year when they played yet another active part in the battles of Chapu and Chinkiang - remaining in garrison of the latter until the Treaty of Nanking was signed on 29 August 1842. The 55th subsequently received the battle honour "China" and a dragon badge was added to their Regimental Colour.

Purchased Seaby, 26 April 1946, for 17/6.

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Sold for
£1,200