AN EXCEPTIONAL & HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT “CASUALTY”
1st CHINA WAR MEDAL 1842.
To:
ROBERT SCRIMSHAW. 49th (Hertfordshire) Foot Regt.


DIED OF DISEASE on CHUSAN ISLAND. 1st November 1840.

OFFICIALLY IMPRESSED.
* * ROBERT SCRIMSHAW. 49th REGIMENT FOOT. *

“A medal of exquisite and quite exceptional quality not normally associated with this early issue. Most China medals arrive in well used condition. This is an outstanding example, being virtually ‘as struck’ with toned deep mirror-prooflike surfaces on both obverse & reverse.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Robert Scrimshaw was recruited at BERHAMPORE, INDIA into 59th (2nd Notts) Foot on 1st May 1826. He served at Berhampore and FORT WILLIAM, CALCUTTA until 16th December 1828 when he volunteered into 49th Foot. He served with the regiment at various stations in India until May 1840 at which time he embarked on HMS Blundell for active service in the First Opium War In China.

The 49th took part in the action at TINGHAE on CHUSAN ISLAND which led to the capture of the island on 5th July 1840. With 18th & 26th Regts, the 49th have the distinction of being the first British troops ever to invade China. The living conditions on Chusan Island were appalling with the troops being encamped in low lying saturated paddy fields and swampy ground. The men were made very ill by the poor damp conditions and many died of the predicable & often terminal water born diseases such as dysentery and enteric fever.

The 49th lost 142 men of disease between 13th July to 31st December 1840. Robert Scrimshaw became one of those casualties when he died on Chusan on 1st November 1840.

A Magnificent Type Medal to a Casualty.

Fit to Grace the Finest Collection.

£2250