Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Defence of Legations group of five awarded to Private A. E. Westbrook, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was severely wounded on 13 July 1900, which Sir Claude MacDonald described as the “most harassing day” of the siege

China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (Pvte. A. E. Westbrook, R.M.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (PO. 9113 Pte. A. E. Westbrook. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (PO. 9113 Pte. A. E. Westbrook. R.M.L.I.) Star and VM officially re-impressed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (PO. 9113 A. E. Westbrook, Private. R.M.L.I.) light contact marks, generally very fine or better (5) £7,000-£9,000

Arthur Ernest Westbrook was born in Winchester on 22 January 1878, and enlisted for the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Eastleigh, Hampshire, on 18 May 1897. Posted to the Portsmouth Division R.M.L.I., Westbrook embarked in H.M.S. Orlando in February 1899 bound for the China Station. In China he was one of the detachment landed as Guard to the British Legation at Pekin where, in June 1900, they became besieged by Boxer fighters.

In the official despatch of the ensuing events, published in the London Gazette of 11 December 1900, the entry for 13 July reads: ‘It happened during this day that British Marines were used in reinforcing every post outside the British Legation. Lance-Sergeant T. E. Preston distinguished himself on this day. Private Westbrook wounded.’
Private Westbrook was wounded by a bullet in the left forearm. Sir Claude MacDonald said 13 July was the “most harassing day” of the siege. The Japanese and Italians in the Fu were driven back to their last defence line. While the Fu was under heavy attack the Chinese detonated a mine beneath the French Legation, destroying most of it, killing two soldiers, and pushing the French and Austrians out of most of the French Legation. Frank Gamewell began digging bomb proof shelters as a last refuge for the besieged. The end seemed near.

By the time the siege of 55 days was lifted in August 1900, the Royal Marines had lost two men killed and 15 wounded. Westbrook served during the Great War aboard H.M.S. Liverpool until July 1915 and aboard H.M.S. Satellite from October 1915 to the end of the war.

Sold with copied service papers.