China 1900, no clasp (T. T. Kirby, Corpl. R.M., Nl. Depot Wei-Hai-Wei) very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Thomas Kirby was born on 21 July 1879 in Tunbridge, Kent, and prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines on 25 January 1897 he worked as a grocer's assistant. On completion of Recruit Training at the Walmer Depot he was posted as a Private to the Chatham Division on 29 September 1897, embarked aboard his first ship H.M.S. CENTURION on 17 September 1898, then transferred to BARFLEUR on 22 November 1898. He was loaned to the Naval Depot at WEI-HAI-WEI on 1 March 1899 and promoted to Corporal on 29 July 1899, serving at WEI-HAI-WEI until July 1901. He ubsequently served aboard GLORY, HUMBER and TAMAR, all during the month of July 1901, took passage to England aboard the SS SHANGHAI and returned to the Chatham Division on 18 September 1901. He did not again serve afloat, spending the next fifteen years ashore.

Promoted to Sergeant on 20 February 1904, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal on 22 September 1912 whilst serving on shore at the Chatham Depot. He was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 27 January 1914, and Superintending Clerk (W.O. Class I) on 27 April 1915 upon transferring to the Depot Establishment. He served in this capacity throughout World War I at the Chatham and Deal Depots and was promoted to Temporary Quartermaster Lieutenant on 29 April 1919 for service with the 3rd Royal Marine Battalion. He retired in 1921 with the rank of Lieutenant and died approximately 1944-45.