Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857 (87 Co. Jno. Mansfield, R.M.), old engraved naming, very fine £200-250

John Mansfield served as a Lance-Corporal in 87th Company, Royal Marines, during the Second China War, and was awarded the above Medal & clasp in respect of his services in the Canton operations of 1857 (T.N.A. ADM 171/30 refers). In the following year, on 18-19 June, he was landed from H.M.S. Assistance in Admiral Sir James Hope’s failed assault on the Taku Forts, his name appearing in the Admiral’s despatch as among those who were severely wounded on the same occasion - participants in this attack were not entitled to the clasp for Taku Forts; sold with copied medal roll entry and details of the Admiral’s despatch from the London Gazette 16 September 1859.