Second China War Medal 1857-60

Presented to Lieutenant Philip Ruffle Sharpe (1831-92). Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria with a diadem, hair tied in a knot (left) Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. On truncation: ' W. WYON. FEC'. Reverse: At the foot of a palm tree a trophy of flags, cannon, the royal shield, a capstan, etc. Legend: 'ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM' (Demanding peace by force of arms). Exergue: 'CHINA'. Bar: 'TAKU FORTS 1860'. Uninscribed. Fitted with a cusped bar and a 1 1/4" wide crimson ribbon. ADM196/37 Sharpe's service record notes: '2 Nov 1858, gazetted as having been engaged in boats in operations against a Chinese piratical fleet; Engaged in the gallant though unsuccessful attack on the forts at the mouth of the Pey-Ho; letter from Sir M. Seymour of 5 July 1859.'