China Medal 1900

The China Medal 1900, sometimes referred to as the China War Medal 1900, was awarded to British and Imperial military personnel who served during the Boxer Rebellion and the subsequent China Expedition of 1900.

Instituted in 1901 by Queen Victoria, the medal commemorates one of the last major military campaigns of the Victorian era and one of the most significant multinational military operations of the nineteenth century.

Awarded to members of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Indian Army and supporting forces, the medal remains one of the most sought-after Victorian campaign awards.

This guide explores the history of the Boxer Rebellion, eligibility for the medal and the authorised clasps awarded for participation in key actions of the campaign.

What Was the Boxer Rebellion?

The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising that emerged in northern China at the end of the nineteenth century.

Members of the movement, known in the West as the "Boxers", opposed increasing foreign influence within China and targeted foreign nationals, missionaries and Chinese Christians.

As the rebellion spread, foreign diplomatic missions in Pekin (Beijing) came under threat and were eventually besieged.

The crisis escalated when elements of the Qing Imperial Government aligned themselves with the Boxers, leading to international military intervention.

The medal was awarded to personnel who served in China between:

10 June 1900 and 31 December 1900

Eligible recipients included members of:

• British Army
• Indian Army
• Royal Navy
• Royal Marines
• Military and Naval Support Services

The medal recognised service connected with operations undertaken during the Boxer Rebellion and the subsequent expedition.

The Siege of the Legations

One of the defining events of the campaign was the siege of the Legation Quarter in Pekin.

Diplomats, civilians, soldiers and marines from several nations were trapped within the compound and forced to defend themselves against sustained attacks.

The siege lasted for fifty-five days and became one of the most famous episodes in Victorian military history.

The successful defence and eventual relief of the Legations became central to the story of the China Campaign.

Obverse

The obverse features the veiled and crowned effigy of Queen Victoria with the inscription:

VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX

This was one of the last campaign medals issued during her reign.

Reverse

The reverse displays the Royal Arms surrounded by military trophies and palm trees together with the inscription:

"They demanded peace by force of arms."

ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM

and the date:

CHINA 1900

The Latin phrase translates broadly as:

"They demanded peace by force of arms."

Ribbon

The ribbon consists of:

• Crimson centre stripe
• Broad yellow edge stripes

The design continues the ribbon style used on earlier China campaign medals and remains one of the most recognisable Victorian campaign medal ribbons.

The Role of British and Indian Forces

The China Campaign highlighted the global reach of the British Empire at the turn of the twentieth century.

Personnel serving with:

• British Army regiments
• Indian Army units
• Royal Navy vessels
• Royal Marines

all contributed to the campaign.

Many medal recipients had previously served in other imperial campaigns, making the China Medal 1900 a significant addition to Victorian medal groups.

Collecting the China Medal 1900

Today the China Medal 1900 remains highly desirable amongst collectors due to:

• Victorian provenance
• Queen Victoria obverse
• Boxer Rebellion history
• Scarce clasp combinations
• Strong Army and Royal Navy associations

Particular interest is often shown in:

• Defence of Legations clasp medals
• Named medals
• Royal Marine awards
• Naval awards
• Indian Army awards

Legacy of the China Medal 1900

The China Medal 1900 commemorates one of the last major military campaigns of the Victorian era and reflects Britain's involvement in international operations at the height of imperial influence.

More than a century later, it remains an important historical award, linking collectors, historians and descendants with the events of the Boxer Rebellion and the men who served in China during one of the most turbulent periods of the age.