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The Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion
Naval involvement in the Boxer Rebellion was sparked by unrest in China in 1900 by members of ‘The Righteous and Harmonious Society Movement’, or Boxers, a group against the rise in foreign trade and societal influences on their country and culture.
Propaganda poster issued by the Boxers, 1900. (RNM)
The uprising threatened the safety of the expatriate population in the cities of Peking and Tientsin. As the situation became more desperate foreign navies began to build up their presence on the coast of northern China and sent naval brigades to defend the legations.
They assembled an international relief force from over 2100 men formed predominantly of sailors and marines from Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, the United States, Japan, Italy, and Austria. As in the Boer War, the column utilised naval guns for the purposes of artillery bombardment.
Men of HMS Algerine (1895) ashore at Taku preparing their equipment. (RNM)
The allied force travelled by train to Tienstin where they departed on 10 June, under the command of British Admiral Sir Edward Seymour. The troops however, found the train lines demolished, forcing them to proceed on foot where they were soon attacked by Chinese Imperial troops, who had joined forces with the Boxer rebels.
The force retreated back towards Tienstin transporting the wounded and the heavy guns in junks down along the Pei Ho River. The force then managed to capture the Chinese arsenal at Hsiku where they remained until relieved by Russian forces.
Notice issued by Captain E Bayley, Chief of Staff, Tientsin, July 3rd 1900 for the protection of British and international citizens during the Boxer Rebellion. (RNM)
Meanwhile, the international navies stationed at the mouth of the Pei Ho River undertook capture of the Taku Forts on 17 June. The forts were of strategic importance as they guarded the way towards Tientsin up the Pei Ho River.
Following the capture of the forts, the international forces would be able to deploy more troops and supplies ashore and then begin their advance to Peking. As a result of the international attack against the Taku Forts Boxer rebels besieged the city of Peking and the Chinese government ordered all foreigners to leave.
Standing Orders, China Expeditionary Force, 1900. (RNM)
The international force moved to relieve Tientsin in the June and July of 1900. By 21 June the Chinese Imperial Government had officially declared war on the allies and had besieged Tientsin with 10 000 Imperial Troops surrounding the city.
Following the failure of the Admiral Seymour’s relief column, the allied powers assembled a stronger force of 20 000 men, commanded by Lieutenant General Alfred Gaselee. The force, called the Eight-Nation Alliance due to its international composition, left Tientsin on 5 August 1900. The relief force eventually reached the foreign legations at Peking on 14 August.
Third China War Medal 1900 with clasp, awarded to Petty Officer William Frederick Dennis who served in the naval brigade of HMS Terrible. Inscribed: “RELIEF OF PEKIN” (RNM)
