This medal is a bronze sample of the “China War Medal,” designed by William Wyon, the Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint in London. It served as a sample for the official silver version of the China War Medal, which was officially established in AD 1843. This bronze sample medal was never formally awarded to soldiers. The official silver medals were awarded to British military personnel who participated in the First Opium War between AD 1840 and AD 1842.
On the obverse of the medal, there is a central effigy of Queen Victoria, surrounded by the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA” (Queen Victoria). The reverse side features a palm tree under which there is a shield bearing the Royal Arms, along with cannons and various weapons. The upper edge of the reverse bears the Latin inscription “ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM” (To Bring About Peace by Force of Arms). The bottom is inscribed with “CHINA” and the year “1842.”
The medal’s ribbon predominantly features a red colour with narrower yellow stripes on each side. This specific design was used exclusively for the China War Medal, encompassing awards for the First and Second Opium Wars, as well as the Boxer Rebellion.
The First Opium War occurred from AD 1840 to AD 1842 and concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking. The war was triggered in AD 1838 when Emperor Daoguang appointed Imperial Commissioner Lin Zexu to Guangzhou to enforce a ban on opium. Upon his arrival, Lin Zexu promptly destroyed over 20,000 chests of British-imported opium at Humen. This action provoked British discontent, leading to military actions against the Qing Dynasty in AD 1840, ultimately resulting in a British victory in AD 1842.
The Treaty of Nanking, signed after the First Opium War, was the first of the unequal treaties in modern Chinese history, marking the beginning of semi-colonialism in China. As a result, China lost its consular jurisdiction and tariff autonomy, most-favoured-nation status to foreign powers, established foreign concessions, and opened five ports: Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou.
In AD 1843, the British government issued the China War Medal to honour soldiers who had distinguished themselves during the First Opium War. The design of this medal continued to be used for the Second Opium War, with the addition of six different clasps for the latter. Following the Boxer Rebellion, a new China War Medal was instituted by Britain, maintaining the reverse design and ribbon from the previous two medals, though the obverse featuring Queen Victoria’s portrait and the inscriptions were altered.
