Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: 1st Class Sergeant T. R. Allin, South African Police, late Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was wounded in the Defence of the Legations and subsequently mentioned in despatches and specially promoted

China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (Lce. Corpl.T. R. Allen, R.M.L.I.) note spelling of surname; South African Police Faithful Service (No 377 (F) 1/C Sergt. T. R. Allin) good very fine (2) £8000-10000

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

78 medals issued to the Legation Guard at Pekin.

Thomas Robert Allin was born at Kennington, Ashford, Kent, on 17 March 1879, and enlisted into the Royal Marines at Walmer in June 1897. His first seagoing appointment was aboard H.M.S. Centurion in late 1898, which ship he returned to after service in Barfleur in the following year. He was next seconded for duties at Wei-Hai-Wei and Allin joined the Royal Marine Legation Guard at Pekin, and was present throughout the defence of that place between June and August 1900.

He received a shell wound in the left shoulder on 26 June whilst doing duty with the Americans at the barricade, as recorded by Captain E. Wray, R.M.L.I., in his official report on the Royal Marine Legation Guard. Wray also recommended four Royal Marines, including Allin, for promotion and that December he was duly advanced to Corporal. He was also commended by the Admiralty (A.L.M. 15219 of 6 December 1900) and mentioned in despatches for good service in China (London Gazette 11 December 1900). Allin purchased his discharge at Portsmouth in early 1902. He was briefly recalled to Naval duties in the Royal Fleet Reserve from January 1918 to February 1919, and appears then to have emigrated to South Africa.