The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

China 1900, 2 clasps, Taku Forts, Relief of Pekin (J. Thornton, Pte. R.M., H.M.S. Orlando) nearly extremely fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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John Thornton was born in the village of Sailmore, near Chester, and was employed as a collier prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines in Liverpool on 17 March 1892. On completion of Recruit Training at the Walmer Depot he joined the Plymouth Division as a Private on 24 September 1892 and embarked in H.M.S. VIVID on 1 May 1893. He joined RUPERT on 23 December 1893, VIVID (January 1894), BLACK PRINCE (April 1896), VIVID (October 1896) AURORA (28 February 1900) and was transferred to ORLANDO on 25 May 1900. Whilst in ORLANDO he was landed in China for service on shore with the Naval Brigade, and was present at the Defence of Tiensin on 30 May 1900, the capture of the Taku Forts, the Relief of Tiensin on 17 June 1900, and at the capture of the Tiensin Arsenal on 27 June 1900.

He next embarked in OCEAN (March 1902) and DEFIANCE (November 1903) from which ship he deserted on 1 February 1904. He returned to ship on 3 February 1904 and served until 23 February 1904 when he was discharged from the Royal Marines as ‘objectionable’ and the notation on his service record that ‘the corner of his parchment certificate was to be cut off’. This was to ensure that he would not again be allowed to enter the services. Unusually his service certificate also carries the note that on 24 February 1904 he was deprived of his China Medal.