Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

The Defence of Legations medal to Lance-Corporal Walter Sparkes, Royal Marine Light Infantry, severely wounded by a bullet through his eye at Pekin

China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (Lce. Corpl. W. J. Sparkes, R.M.L.I.) nearly extremely fine £7000-8000

Ex Hawkes Field 1950.

Walter John Sparkes was born at Catherington, Hampshire, on 25 June 1877, and enlisted into the Royal Marines at Gosport on 20 July 1896, aged 19 years. He embarked for China in H.M.S. Orlando in February 1899, and arrived at Pekin on 31 May 1900, where he formed one of the guard for the British Legation. On 27 June (his service record says 25 June) he was severely wounded by a bullet through the left eye.

Sparkes was consequently invalided out of the service on 13 February 1901, having been ‘allowed to reckon six months service towards limited engagement, G.C. Badges & Pension, for the Defence of the Legations at Pekin.’ On 8 May 1902, he was sent his China medal with Defence of Legations clasp, one of only 82 issued to the small Royal Marine Guard at Pekin.