Description
China 1842, First China or Opium War, David Gray, 26th Regiment of Foot, the Cameronians.
Officially impressed with stars filling the naming like a Waterloo: “*** DAVID GRAY. 26th REGIMENT OF FOOT”
Edge bruising and general wear over the years, naming a little weak due to wear over “REGIMENT”.
The typical “German Silver” suspension bar has been replaced with a swivelling silver scroll suspension similar to the IGS 1854 of the 1850s onwards, which has been fitted well.
The Cameronians saw extensive services during the China War of 1840-42.
They left Calcutta on 24th March 1840, with about 900 men, on the way to Singapore to join up with Expeditionary Force to invade China.
They arrived at Chusan on 4th July 1840 and captured it the next day.
They suffered greatly from illness in the country due to a variety of reasons, terrain, weather, provisions, work.
Their next action was in the attack on the Bogue Forts, which promptly fell on 7th Jaunary 1841 during the 2nd Battle of Chuenpi.
They would then take part in the second attack and Capture of the Bogue Forts, which was thought after a failed treaty on 26th February, called the Battle of the Bogue on 26th February.
They then captured Canton on 24th May and on 30th May fought off a Chinese Counter Attack.
At this point a treaty was being negotiated and they regiment was sent to rest in Hong Kong.
However, little rest was gained as they were employed in an expedition against the Amoy in August, before being moved up the coast to Ningbo by December aboard HMS Jupiter.
They garrisoned at Ningpo on 7th February 1842.
During this time the town was attacked at night on 9-10th March, the 26th missed out on the fight to Defend the town, but a few days later would participate in the expedition to attack 2 nearby fortified camps.
In Early may 1842, Ningpo was evacuated and the Cameronians then went north to support the Attack on Chapu. During the battle the 26th were heavily involved and lost 3 men killed before the town could be captured.
Closing out the war, they were moved up the Yangtze River towards Shanghai and Nanking. The 26th then formed part of the Storming Force at Chinkian on 21st JUly 1842.
They were afterwards posted to Naking on 11th August, whilst the Treaty of Naking was signed ending the war, they returned back to Hong Kong on 30th October 1842.
Shortly afterwards the Cameronians were granted permission to bear the Battle Honour “China” on their colours and the image of a Dragon, for their services.
