A Second China War medal to Sapper Frederick Richardson

A Second China War medal to Sapper Frederick Richardson, 8th Company Royal Engineers, no clasp (SAPPER FREDK. RICHARDSON. 8TH C. ROYAL ENGRS), officially impressed, light scratching and knocks but little wear, therefore nearly extremely fine.

Although not entitled to a clasp for any of the major successful actions of the war, this man belonged to the small Army contingent present at the disastrous amphibious assault on the Taku Forts on June 25th 1859. The forts at the mouth of the Peiho river were critical in that they controlled access to Teinsin, and ultimately to Pekin. The British had captured them earlier in the war, and a treaty had been concluded which was awaiting Imperial ratification. Frustrated at the prevarication of the Chinese, British and French diplomats were conveyed north by the Royal Navy in an attempt to approach Pekin directly. They found that the Peiho River defences had been strengthened, and seeing that the Chinese meant to deny them access, the Navy attempted a landing, which was thwarted by thick mud and spirited opposition. 25 men of the 8th, including Richardson, had been attached to the 10th Company R.E., and served as riflemen and ladder bearers during this otherwise exclusively Naval action. Offered with research.