Instituted in 1861 and issued to the British Army & Royal Navy personnel involved in actions against belligerent Chinese forces. Six clasps were authorised: China 1842 (rare), Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1858, Taku Forts 1860 and Pekin 1860.
This war occurred as a result of Chinese resentment of the profusion of Opium entering the country, of which the Honourable East India Co. had the trading monopoly. This resentment (quite understandably) boiled over and acts of aggression towards Europeans became more widespread. The British merchantman Arrow was seized by the Chinese and this was the catalyst for armed response.
Around 60 vessels of the Royal Navy engaged and defeated 80 heavily armed junks at Fatshan Creek and Canton was captured by sailors & men of the 59th Foot (East Lancashire Regiment), the only British regiment present at that particular time. Peace was signed in June 1858 but the situation rapidly deteriorated when the British Envoy's flotilla was shelled on the Peiho River.
A joint force of 17,000 British & French troops was assembled and the Taku Forts were captured two years later. Pekin was occupied and, in what was seen by some as an act of wanton vandalism, the Imperial Summer Palace was sacked and torched, the ignorant British muppetry not realising the value of the jewels and ancient artwork they were looting & destroying.
This war occurred as a result of Chinese resentment of the profusion of Opium entering the country, of which the Honourable East India Co. had the trading monopoly. This resentment (quite understandably) boiled over and acts of aggression towards Europeans became more widespread. The British merchantman Arrow was seized by the Chinese and this was the catalyst for armed response.
Around 60 vessels of the Royal Navy engaged and defeated 80 heavily armed junks at Fatshan Creek and Canton was captured by sailors & men of the 59th Foot (East Lancashire Regiment), the only British regiment present at that particular time. Peace was signed in June 1858 but the situation rapidly deteriorated when the British Envoy's flotilla was shelled on the Peiho River.
A joint force of 17,000 British & French troops was assembled and the Taku Forts were captured two years later. Pekin was occupied and, in what was seen by some as an act of wanton vandalism, the Imperial Summer Palace was sacked and torched, the ignorant British muppetry not realising the value of the jewels and ancient artwork they were looting & destroying.
US side, Historik Orders seems to have a good (if somewhat pricey) selection.
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