Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (Lieut. H. P. Deane, 31st Regt.) officially impressed, contact marks, nearly very fine £400-500

Medal and clasp confirmed as entitled per respective campaign medal roll (ref WO 100/40) which is also noted with remarks 'Invalided to England 21 December 1861' - this being the recipient’s only medal entitlement.

Hugh Pollexfen Deane, the son of Clergyman, The Reverend John Bathurst Deane, 2nd Master at Merchant Taylors School, was a native of London, Middlesex, England, where he was born on 11 December 1836 . Major Deane, then of, 12 Thurloe Square, South Kensington, London, Middlesex, England, is recorded as having died on 7 April 1904. The below following obituary to Major Deane was published after his death (an original clipping from the newspapers accompanies the medal:

‘Major Hugh Pollexfen Deane, late 31st Regiment, who died at his residence, 12 Thurloe-Square, on the 7th ult, entered the Army in 1854, and served in the Crimea during the period following the fall of Sevastopol. He fought under Gordon in the Chinese War of 1860, and took part in the capture of the Taku Forts and the march of the Allied Armies on Pekin, receiving the China Medal, 1860. He was twice mentioned in despatches. On retiring from the Army he formed the 2nd (Militia) Battalion Devonshire Regiment, in which he served some years. He married Juliette, only daughter of the late Edward Daniell, of Trelisic, Captain 75th (Old Stirlingshire) Regiment.’

Sold together with two glazed miniatures depicting the recipient as a boy - this with ink written inscription on reverse "Hugh Pollexfen Deane as a boy 1837-1904 (31st Regiment). The miniatures in glazed chipped and worn frames. Also included is a contemporary 'Memorial Card' envelope, with ink inscription "Cutting from Morning Post" 6th May 04. A short sketch of my dear Hugh's life in the service".