A K.P.M. group of four awarded to Inspector Alfred Whittaker, Wei-Hai-Wei Police, late Colour Sergeant, 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade and 1st Chinese Regiment

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R. (Insp., Wei-Hai-Wei Pol.) naming officially re-engraved; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (C. Sgt., 1st Chinese Regt.); Coronation 1902, bronze; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2078 C. Sjt., Rifle Bde.) very fine or better (4) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Rifle Brigade and Affiliated Regiments from the collection formed by Michael Haines.

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Alfred Whittaker was born in Bethnal Green, London, in 1874, and enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 5 February 1892. He was posted to the 4th Battalion and served for seven years in the U.K., being promoted to Corporal in 1894 and to Sergeant in 1896. He re-engaged for a further five years in February 1899 and, on 20 April, was seconded to the 1st Chinese Regiment where he was promoted local Colour Sergeant on joining and was confirmed in that rank on 1 September 1900.

‘In August 1900, a man belonging to the 1st Chinese Regiment, fell from a boat into the Peiho at Tientsin. There was a strong current, and the night dark. At great risk, Colour Sergeant A. Whittaker, of the same regiment, jumped in and effected the rescue.’ For this act of life saving Whittaker was awarded the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society (Case No. 31,195).

After service during the Boxer Rebellion, when he took part in the relief of Pekin, Whittaker was appointed, in April 1903, Inspector of Police at Wei-Hai-Wei for five years, whilst re-engaging for a further ten years in the Rifle Brigade. He was discharged from the army on 4 February 1913, but continued to serve in the police in China and was awarded the King’s Police Medal. Sold with copy discharge papers which confirm the last three medals and his Royal Humane Society award.