China 1900, no clasp (T. T. Kirby, Corpl. R.M., Nl. Depot Wei-Hai-Wei) good very fine £140-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine collection of awards for the Boxer Rebellion 1900.

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99 medals issued without clasp to the Naval Depot at Wei-Hai-Wei. The medal roll notes that this man received two duplicate medals.

Ex Douglas-Morris collection, February 1997.

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 in September 1898, then transferred to Barfleur in November 1898. He was loaned to the Naval Depot at Wei-Hai-Wei in March 1899 and promoted to Corporal in July 1899, serving at Wei-Hai-Wei until July 1901.

He subsequently served aboard Glory, Humber and Tamar, all during the month of July 1901, took passage to England aboard the S.S. 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 in February 1904, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in September 1912, whilst serving on shore at the Chatham Depot. He was promoted to Colour Sergeant in January 1914, and Superintending Clerk (W.O. Class I) in 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.