Description
China Medal, 1900, bar Relif of Pekin, James Rooke, Stoker, HMS Barfleur, a Veteran of the Naval Brigade in the Boxer Rebellion who served ashore with the ship’s guns in the Relief of Pekin.
James Rooke, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on 5th June 1876.
He first joined the Royal Navy at HMS Pembroke II on 30th November 1897, he already had many tattoos which they could barely fit into the section on his papers, described as having
“Flower design below neck, Butterfly each shoulder, Basket of Flowers left upper arm, Jap Woman right upper arm, Peacock Left forearm, 2 sets of clasped hands forearm, Dagger Right Leg.”
By Christmas of 1897, he was already put in the Cells for 5 days from 31st December 1897.
After a few months onboard HMS Blenheim from 10th July 1898 until 30th September 1898.
He saw his first proper ship service as a Stoker 2nd Class on HMS Barfleur, from 1st October 1898, being promoted to Stoker on Christmas Day 1898.
He remained on board HMS Barfleur until 23rd January 1902 following the end of the War in China.
On 9th June 1900, a detachment from the Barfleur, commanded by Commander David Beatty, proceeded in a Naval Brigade, about 2000 strong, under Vice Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, in an effort to Relive Peking.
The expedition went through very severe fighting and before withdrawing they suffered a loss of 2 Officers and 63 men killed, 20 officers and 210 men wounded. Commander Beatty showed conspicuous gallantry and was 2 times wounded.
Another smaller detachment was sent on June 17th to capture Taku Forts.
Later in August, another detachment went out again to join the Naval Brigade which advanced to the final and satisfactory relief of Pekin with 20,100 troops under Lieut General Sir Alfred Gaselee.
Continuing his service after the war, seeing service as Stoker 1st Class on the Leander, Edgar, Warrior, Sapphire, Trafalgar and Glory he was still a regular serving Sailor by the time of WW1.
He saw the following ship service during WW1:
HMS Russell, 13th August 1912 – 27th October 1915
HMS Pembroke I, 28th Oct – 1st March 1916.
HMS Lancaster, 2nd March 1916, 2nd January 1918.
HMS Pembroke II, 3rd January 1918 – 1st May 1918.
Discharged having been invalided from service with Pulmonary Tuberculosis, having seen almost 23 years of service.
