Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (J. Barrett, P.O. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Terrible) good very fine £300-350

John Barrett was born in Lancaster on 19 May 1872. A Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on Impregnable on 32 February 1888, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in February 1889. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman on Invincible in May 1890 and Able Seaman on Blanche in May 1891. Barrett served aboard H.M.S. Terrible, 24 March 1898-October 1900 and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class on 5 June 1900. He served in Wilde’s 12 pounder gun unit in South Africa and in China he served with a 12 pounder gun unit detachment. He was wounded at Tientsin on 9 July 1900. He died on board the transport ship S.S. Malta whilst on passage from Hong Kong to England - from acute alcoholism followed by exhaustion and heart failure.

In addition to the above medal, Barrett was entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasp for Relief of Ladysmith.

With copied service paper and a China roll for H.M.S. Terrible.