Orders, Decorations and Medals

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (W. G. Wakeham, P.O. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Aurora) extremely fine £300-350

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

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Collection

258 medals issued with Relief of Pekin clasp to this ship.

William George Wakeham was born at Stoke Dameral, Devon, on 15 October 1876, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Imprengable on 16 February 1892. He served aboard Aurora from February 1899 to April 1902, gaining Petty Office status in September 1899 prior to his service in China. Promoted to Acting Gunner 1st Class in June 1905, confirmed in October 1906, Wakeham served aboard H.M.S. Niobe from August 1914, operating on the North America and West Indies station intercepting German ships along the American coast until September 1915 when he returned to England. For the remainder of the war, Wakeham served aboard the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Virginian, receiving promotion to Chief Gunner in September 1918. For his work earlier in the war he was awarded the French Medaille Militaire (London Gazette 15 September 1916). He was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1922, retired as Lieutenant Commander on 12 August 1930, and died on 23 august 1944. Sold with copied record of service.