Medals for the Boxer Rebellion 1900 to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines

Pair: Able Seaman William Coleman, Royal Navy

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (A.B., H.M.S. Centurion); Borough of Portsmouth Tribute Medal, 27mm., silver and enamel, hallmarks for Birmingham 1901, rev. impressed, ‘Naval Brigade North China 1900’, ref. Hibbard A21(3), enamel damage, good fine, China Medal good very fine (lot) £550-650

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for the Boxer Rebellion 1900 to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

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Able Seaman William Coleman was a member of the Seymour Expedition, China 1900, and was wounded in action at Hsi Ku, 23 June 1900, by a bullet in the left arm.

Sold with extremely rare original illuminated document for the banquet given by the Corporation and Inhabitants of the Borough of Portsmouth to Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, Captain Jellicoe and the officers and men of H.M.S. Centurion, 11 September 1901 - named to ‘William Coleman A.B.’ It was at this banquet that the men were presented with their Portsmouth tribute medals. The document, with several repaired tears, is mounted in a 41 x 33cm glass-fronted wooden frame and is believed to be the first known example to be offered at auction.