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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 46

China 1900, no clasp (E. Quance. 2nd S.B.S., H.M.S. Centurior.), nearly extremely fine

Edwin Quance was born on 31 December 1872 at Devonport and was a butcher by trade upon his joining the Royal Navy, becoming a Probationary Sick Berth Assistant on 26 December 1895. Posted to Haslar Hospital in January 1896, he spent the next 4 years between Vivid I and Haslar Hospital.

With the Boxer Rebellion in China, Quance was posted to Tamar as they made the journey to China on 30 October 1899, arriving at Hong Kong Hospital on 5 December 1899. He saw the following service through the campaign:

Tamar, 20 October 1899-4 December 1899.

Hong Kong Hospital, 5 December 1899-11 May 1900.

Yokohama Hospital, 12 May 1900-9 December 1900, being promoted 2nd Sick Berth Steward on 1 August 1900.

Hong Kong Hospital, 10 December 1900-8 March 1901.

Tamar, 9 March 1901-25 June 1901.

Pigmy, 26 June-17 September 1901.

Quance died of enteric fever on 17 September 1901 at Hong Kong Hospital and was discharged dead, being buried in Hong Kong Cemetery. The crew of Pigmy ensured he would be remembered by erecting a fine gravestone which reads:

'In loving memory of Edwin Quance, 2nd Sick Berth Stewart, who died in R N Hospital Hong Kong, 17th September 1901, aged 29. This stone was erected by Officers and Men of HMS Pigmy and friends.'

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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£280