United Kingdom. Two China Service Medals, to Gunner Thomas Brown, 4th Brigade and Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery
Includes:
1. Second China War Medal 1857-1860, to Gunner Thomas Brown, 4th Brigade, Royal Artillery: 2 Clasps - TAKU FORTS 1860, PEKIN 1860 (GUNNER THOs BROWN, 4th Bde Rl ARTy). Instituted in 1861. In silver, engraver marked "W. WYON" (William Wyon) on the obverse, measuring 36 mm in diameter,
2. Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Type II, to Gunner Thomas Brown, Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery: (2644 GUNr THOS, BROWN. COAST Bde R.A). Instituted in 1830. In silver, measuring 36 mm in diameter.
Naming is officially impressed in large capitals on both medals, exhibiting bruising, edge nicks and contact marks overall, replacement ribbons with glue residue evident on the reverse from previous board mounting, fine.
Footnotes:
1. The Second China War Medal was instituted on March 6, 1861 and was awarded for participation in campaigns in China, from 1857 to 1858 and 1860.
2. The Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was instituted by King William IV in 1830. The medal remained in use for 100 years, until it was replaced by the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) in 1930. During that time the reverse of the medal remained virtually unchanged, while the design of the obverse was altered during the reigns of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V. The medal was initially awarded to soldiers in the ranks of the Regular Force who had completed 21 years of service in the infantry or 24 years in the cavalry. From 1870, the qualifying period was reduced and the medal was awarded to Regular Force non-commissioned officers and men who had completed 18 years of irreproachable service, irrespective whether the service was in the infantry or the cavalry.