Second China War Medal 1857-60

Awarded to Admiral of the Fleet John Arbuthnot Fisher (1841-1920). Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria with a diadem, hair tied in a knot (left) Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. Reverse: At the foot of a palm tree a trophy of flags, cannon, the royal shield, a capstan, etc. Legend: 'ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM'. Exergue: 'CHINA'. Bar: 'CANTON 1857'. Fitted with a cusped bar and a 1 1/4" wide crimson ribbon. Mounted on a bar with six others.

Newly-rated Midshipman, Fisher joined ‘Highflyer’ on 13 July 1856. Whilst on the China station, the ship played an active role in the Second Opium War. On 1st June 1857, boats from ‘Highflyer’ took part in the action against a fleet of war junks in Fatshan Creek. Some of her men were in the naval brigade, part of a British and French force, which stormed the city of Canton (Guangzhou) in December 1857. Fisher was actively involved in the second unsuccessful assault on the Taku Forts on 24-26 June 1859 in the gunboat ‘Banterer’ Lieutenant John Jenkins. The boats came under heavy fire and the muddy shoreline was protected with sharp stakes. Fisher served in ‘Chesapeake’ from 14 January 1860 until 30th March the same year and as Acting Lieutenant in ‘Furious’ from 31st March until 23 November. Medals were awarded to other officers and crew of ‘Furious’ for the successful attack on the Taku Forts on 21 August 1860 and the capture of Peking on the 13 October.