Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Robt. Armstrong, 1st Dragn. Gds.) officially impressed naming, with ornate silver brooch bar, very fine £300-360

Armstrong formerly served in the 7th Dragoon Guards; died 27 January 1861.

The 1st Dragoon Guards were engaged at Sinho, present at the fall of the Taku Forts, and engaged in the actions of 18 and 21 September 1860, and also in the advance on Pekin. The action at Pa-li-Chao on 21 September was particularly marked by the impressive cavalry charge made by the Regiment, as noted by W. H. G. Kingston in Our Soldiers:

‘Another body of Tartar cavalry were posted on an eminence which had a sudden fall at the foot of it, with a deep ditch in front. It was evident that they thought the cavalry could not pass this ditch, and that they might easily pick them off with their matchlocks. The 1st Dragoon Guards, however, rode at it, and cleared the ditch, one or two men only getting out of ranks. The Dragoons then made a furious charge, and soon put the Tartars to flight.’