WILLIAM TILBURY ABLE SEAMAN OF HMS CRUIZER SEVERELY WOUNDED AT THE TAKING OF CANTON, DECEMBER 1857; THE TILBURY MAGAZINE
WILLIAM TILBURY, ABLE SEAMAN ON BOARD H.M.S. CRUIZER
Severely wounded in the right thigh at the taking of Canton, December 1857

Research by C. Tilbury

Situation of Canton on the Pearl River
The 'Second Bar' was the point at which
foreign merchant ships moored, unloaded,
loaded, goods ferried by cargos to and
from Canton

From:

Bulletins and Other State Intelligence, 1860
Published in the London Gazette of February 26, 1858.

pages 1052-1068


 
Admiralty, February 26, 1858.

DESPATCHES, of which the following are copies,
have been received by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour.

CAPTURE OF CANTON

No. 14.

"Coromandel," at Canton,            
January 13, 1858.            

SIR,

BY the last mail I had the satisfaction of reporting briefly to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the capture of the city of Canton. I will now do myself the honour of detailing the proceedings which crowned our efforts with success.

2. The demands made by the British and French Ambassadors on the 10th of December, having been rejected by YEH (the Imperial High Commissioner), as well as a subsequent demand made by the Commanders-in-Chief of the Allied Forces (to whom the Ambassadors had transferred the question), for the peaceable surrender of the city, it was decided to resort to coercive measures, and as all the intelligence we had received, ascribed the number of troops comprising the garrison to amount to 30,000, and the confidence of the Imperial Commissioner in his own strength, led us to suppose the means of defence, both to the northward and in the interior of the city, had been greatly increased, it was decided that before our comparatively small force should act against the apparent odds in favour of the enemy, a slow fire should be kept up on the defences of the city from the English and French ships of war, in the directions where the troops were supposed to be stationed.

3. I have already reported the positions of the ships of war in the Canton Creek. At daylight on the morning of the 28th December, the signal agreed upon was simultaneously hoisted at the mast heads of the Actaeon and Phlegeton, and a slow fire was opened upon the S.W. and S.E. angles of the old and new city walls; along the east wall and on the south wall opposite the Vice Roy's residence. To impede the progress and communication of the Imperial troops along the parapets, and to breach the walls, to facilitate the entry of the allied forces, a battery of two 13-inch and two 10-inch sea service mortars, and two 24-pounder rockets, under the direction of Major SCHOMBERG, R.M.A., placed in position by Captain HALL, Commander DOWELL, of the Hornet, and Captain MANN, R.E., on the Dutch Folly (where the French and English flags were hoisted), played on Magazine Hill, the City Heights, and Gough's Fort, with the other forts to the northward of the city outside the walls. The long-range guns of the gun-boats were also at a later hour of the day pointed in the same direction.

4. Major-General VAN STRAUBENZEE had been indefatigable in his search for a suitable point of debarcation, and at 7  A.M. the forces named in the margin* [below] commenced to land inside of Kuper's Island Passage. The 59th Regiment, Royal Artillery, and Royal Sappers and Miners first; then the French Naval Brigade, followed by the Brigade of Royal Marines; and later in the day by the British Naval Brigade. From the pains taken by the officers who superintended the arrangements, Captain HALL, C.B., Captain REYNAUD, of the Nemesis, and Major CLIFFORD, Assistant Quarter-master General, aided by Messrs; James J. HILL and Henry HILL, Masters of the Calcutta and Hesper, the landing was effected with ease and dispatch. Soon after landing, Lieutenant HACKETT, of the 59th Regiment, was surprised by a party of Chinese, who barbarously cut off his head and made off. Two were shot and a third was taken, and hanged.

Troops ...................   800
Royal Marines ............  2100
Naval Brigade ............  1829
French Naval Brigade .....   950
                           ————
      Total ..............  5679
                           ————

5. The Major-General, under whose command I had placed the whole of the Royal Marine Light Infantry forces, by my order of 22nd of December, having directed Colonel HOLLOWAY, with Lieutenant-Colonels WALSH's and HOCKER's Battalions of Royal Marines, to remain near the landing-place, as a reserve to protect the rear, and to forward supplies; each division as it formed, advanced in the direction of Lin's Fort; the French Naval Brigade, under my gallant colleague, Rear-Admiral Sir RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY, exciting admiration by the completeness of its equipments, and by the soldier-like and efficient appearance of its officers and men. The fort was at once taken possession of by detachments of the French Brigade and 59th Regiment, the enemy retiring as the troops advanced. Lin's Fort is a circular red tower, built of stone; it had twelve guns in position, but badly appointed and of small calibre.

6. As the 1st and 3rd Divisions of the Naval Brigade were advancing to the right, they joined the covering parties of the 59th Regiment, which were driving back a large body of Chinese. As these troops occupied the position assigned to the Naval Brigade, and were increasing in numbers, the Niger's and Hornet's detachments, under Captain the Honourable A. A. COCHRANE, C.B., and Commander DOWELL, were ordered to dislodge them, which was gallantly executed, the Chinese taking up a fresh position behind each ridge, and finally in a joss-house or temple, from which they were also driven, until they reached the main body of Chinese troops near Gough's Fort.

Captain COCHRANE seeing the importance of this temple, put it in a state of defence, and held it till relieved by the 1st Division at 9 P.M. Its possession protected our right from annoyance during the night. The gallant conduct of Commander DOWELL, and of the officers and men generally, in the face of greatly superior numbers, has been brought to my notice. Several casualties occurred on this service.

7. The enemy appeared in great force on the hills to the northward of the city, and a brisk fire of cannons gingalls, and rockets, from the city walls and Gough's Fort, was kept up on our troops as they advanced; which was, however, kept in check by the French and English howitzers which had been brought to the fron, notwithstanding the unfav

8. The army bivouacked for the night round Lin's Fort, the ground being admirably adapted for an encamptment, being honeycombed for miles by a vast assemblage of graves—the "Criminal's Cemetery." The spaces between the mounds affording excellent shelter.

The 1st and 3rd Divisions of the Naval Brigade occupied the right, supported by Lieutenant-Colonel LEMON's Provisional Battalion of Royal Marines; the 2nd Division of the Brigade the centre; and the French and 59th Regiment the left. An occasional fire was kept up from the walls during the night, but without much effect.

9. The head-quarters for the night were in a Budhist temmple, to the rear of Lin's Fort. Having had an opportunity of viewing the east wall, it was decided to take it by escalade on the following morning at 9 o'clock, and to ensure success, it was arranged that a brisk enfilading fire should be kept up along the east wall, from the East Gate to the North-east Gate, by the French and English gun-boats, near the French Folly, till the hour named,&mdashthe fire then entirely to cease. Instructions were accordingly sent to Captain SHADWELL, C.B., and Captain D'ABOVILLE, of the Audacieuse, our respective senior naval officers, superintending the fire in the Canton creek.

10. The whole of the allied forces being under arms, at 5 A.M., on the 29th December, General VAN STRAUBENZEE ordered the field batteries to advance as soon as day-light permitted the passage of the guns over the uneven and unknown ground, to breach the parapet of the wall where the British Division intended to escalade, and the French guns were soon actively engaged on the portion assigned to their Division. Directions having been sent on the previous evening to Lieutenant-Colonel LEMON, and th 1st and 3rd Divisions of the Naval Brigade, to advance and take possession of a large temple in front of our position, within 100 yrds of the wall, they were seen in quiet occupation as the day broke, and were soon after joined by Captain KEY, C.B., with the 2nd Division. This temple afforded shelter from the gun of Gough's Fort, as well as from the fire that continued to be maintained from the city walls.

11. The scaling ladders, in charge of Commanders HAMILTON, FELLOWES, and SLIGHT, and Lieutenant Viscount GILFORD, were now carried as close to the shallow ditch as prudence permitted, in which service Mr. H. THOMPSON, Midshipman of the Sanspareil, a most praiseworthy and zealous young officer, was mortally wounded by a spear-rocket, causing his death on the following day.

12. At six o'clock the two battalions of the Royal Marine Brigade, under Colonel HOLLOWAY, arrived, and whilst the 2nd Battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel HOCKER, was placed as a reserve at Fort Lin, the &st Battalion, with Colonel HOLOWAY and Lieutenant-Colonel WALSH, were ordered by the General to support four companies of the Provisional Battalion, which were thrown out in extended order to check the enemy, advancing from Gough's Heights, in great force, and keeping up a heavy fire; a howitzer and a 12-pounder rocket subsequently supported the Royal Marines.

13. Soon after 7 o'clock, Captain BATE, of the Actaeon, and Captain MANN; R.E., were directed to reconnoitre the wall to select a fitting place for planting our scaling ladders. In the performance of this important and dangerous duty, Captain BATE was wounded in the chest by a gingall ball from the parapet. Dr. C. A. ANDERSON Staff-Surgeon, at once proceeded at great personal risk, under a heavy fire to his assistance, but it was of no avail, as this gallant and highly esteemed officer died within a few minutes after receiving his would. By this most unfortunate calamity, Her Majesty has lost one of the most talented and estimable officers in Her Service.

14. The fire from the walls having been kept in check by howitzers and the rifles of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, about half-past eight the French Brigade headed by its gallant Admiral, dashed forward with the scaling ladders. Our own ladders were at once in hand, and with a short run, planted against the wall, and amidst the hearty cheers of the whole army, the French and English Colours were floating over the Battlements of Canton. Division after Division rapidly clambered up the ladders, and advanced along the wall to the northward, taking Gate after Gate, (which form the principal defences of the city) in rapid succession; the enemy completely surprised, and confounded at the impetuosity of the attach, offering but trifling opposition. Before 10 o'clock the Flags of the Allied Powers floated over the five storied Pagoda, the city heights including two Forts mounted with heavy guns, and the other defences of the city as far as the North Gate.

Our mode and plan of attack may be considered as a complete surprise, and may account for the limited loss which attended our operations. The authorities evidently expected we shopuld first attack Gough's Heights and the defences outside the city, considering the height of their wall a sufficient security against an attack by escalade. The main body of their troops were in that quarter, and the guns on the city heights, in newly-constructed forts, bore in the same direction.

15. At the North Gate the enemy appeared inclined to make a stand. Captain KEY, with one-half of the 2nd Division, advanced and took up a position in an earth battery in an elbow of the wall inside the gate, turning the guns upon the Sailor's Fort and the enemy's troops to the westward. The rest of the Division, by order of the General, passed through the North Gate, and drove the enemy back. The services of Commanders HOOD and SLIGHT, Lieutenant A. BOGLE of the Sanspareil, and Lieutenant Viscount GILFORD of the Calcutta, who was severely wounded, as well as Lieutenant W. O. BUTLER of the Hornet, were conspicuous on this occasion.

16. Occasional guns were fired from the forts outside the walls; but the rocket-party of the Cruizer, under Mr. ARMITAGE, Midshipman, soon set on fire the buildings round the Upper and Lower Blue Jacket Forts, and compelled their evacuation, whilst the 1st Division of the Naval Brigade made a sortie, and captured Gough's Fort and the Marines' Fort, the former mounting 9 guns, and the other 12, blowing up the magazines, and destroying the guns and carriage

17. In the direction of the West Gate, the enemy kept up a sharp fire from the reversed guns on the tamparts, and notwithstanding the fire from the Calcuttas field-pieces, in charge of Lieutenants GOODENOUGH and BEAMISH, approached, under shelter of the wall and of some brick guard-houses, to within 50 yards of the North Gate, when Captain Sire Robert McCLURE, assisted by Captain COCHRANE, made a sortie, which effectually dislodged them. The covering buildings were then destroyed, and several guns spiked or thrown over the wall. Except a desultory fire, which was returned occasionally, we suffered no further annoyance, and the fire ceased at 9 P.M.

18. I would here mention the zeal displayed by Lieutenants GOODENOUGH and BEAMISH in bringing their guns to the fornt. Lieutenant GOODENOUGH's light 12-pounders arrived at Lin's Fort on the evening of the 28th, and were in time to do good service at the north gate. Lieutenant BEAMISH's task was more difficult, as his two heavy 12-poudners, with limbers and spare waggons, had to be drawn up the wall, a height of 28 feet. The good conduct and exertions of the junior officers and guns' crews with the field peices has been notified to me.

19. The 59th Regiment, on scaling the wall, proceeded to the southward, and went as far as the centre of the south wall, where they sustained several casualties; amongst the rest Ensign BOWEN, who was mortally wounded, and died on the 10th instant. Having overcome all opposition, they returned to the South-east Gate, which they occupied and held as the extreme left.

20. As a diversion, and with a view to carrying the South-east Gate, Captain HALL left the river, where he had been employed on important duty, at 9 o'clock, with 100 Marines and 600 officers and seamen, volunteers from the gun-boats. Their services, however, had been anticipated by the rapid success that attended our force on other directions of the city walls; but the readiness and zeal displayed by Captain HALL and these officers and men, is not the less commendable.

21. As large bodies of armed men were seen passing into the city, through the West Gate, during the afternoon, it led to the impression that an attack was contemplated during the night; which induced Major-General VAN STRAUBENZEE, to give directions to burn the houses in the vicinity of the North Gate. This duty was entrusted to Captain OSBORNE, C.B., who with Lieutenants BROWNE, CATOR, DAVIDSON, of the Royal Navy, and Lieutenant PRITCHETT, R.M., executed it under a sharp fire, and with considerable difficulty, the houses containing little inflammable material.

22. I have avoided making prominent mention of the services of the military branch of the force, it being peculiarly the province of my gallant colleague, Major-General VAN STRAUBENZEE, who having been in every position where his onerous duties called him, will be better able to do justice to the merits of the gallant officers and men under his orders.

The Royal Marine Battalions, having been placed under his Excellency's immediate orders; I also refrain from the same reasons from particularizing the good services they performed in this important affair. The provisional battalion of Royal Marines, from Her Majesty's ships, composed an efficient force of 800 men.

23. It is hardly necessary for me to mention that our brave Allies took a conspicuous share in all the opeations I have endeavoured to describe. Rear-Admiral Sir RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY showed a noble example, which was gallantly emulated by the fine body of officers and men under his command. It is but justice to add, that the French were the first on the walls of Canton. The Rear-Admiral has begged me to mention prominently the services of Capitaines de Vaisseau RAYNAUD, of the Nemesis, Jules COLLIER, of the Capricieuse, and D'ABOVILLE of the Audacieuse, and that the whole of the brigade under his command, performed their duty with zealous alacrity.

24. I am assured that their Lordships will feel satisfaction in knowing that the most cordial good feeling, and perfect understanding, have been maintained between my gallant colleauges and myself; the one object the occupation of Canton, agreeably to the instructions of our respective Governments, having been steadily kept in view.

25. On the morning of the 30th the enemy sent in a flag of truce, begging permission to bury the dead, which was granted. In the afternoon the Commanders-in-Chief, with their Staff, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel WALSH's Battalion of Royal Marines, Captain KEY's Division of the Naval Brigade, Royal Artillery with 2 guns, and Sappers and Miners under Captain KNOX, R.A., also a strong detachment of the French Naval Brigade, under Capitaine Jules COLLIER, proceeded to capture the West Gate. The guns on the parapet were loaded, and turned on our position, but all the defences were abandoned, and not the slightest opposition was offered. The guns, as far as the West Gate, bearing on our lines, were spiked and thrown over the walls. The force then made the circuit of the city.

26. In the course of the day, an inferior officer came in with a message, stated to be from the Tartar General, but he was informed that we could only treat with the principal authorities.

27. The capture of the city having been now completed, it becomes my pleasing duty to bring to their Lordships' notice the good conduct of the officers and men composing the Naval Brigade, during the whole of these operations. Though brought together from so many ships, at short notice, they formed a most serviceable body of 1800 men, independent of 100 Royal Marines and 600 seamen in the gun-boats, held in hand by the Flag Captain for any emergency.

28. My thanks are particularly due to Commodore the Honourable Charles ELLIOT, C.B., and the Captains of the several divisions of the Naval Brigade. Commanders HAMILTON and HOOD have been in the Canton River for nearly twelve months, and Commander FELLOWES is stated to have been the first of the brigade on the wall, from a ladder planted by Lieutenant MARESCEAUX, of the Nankin. The names of Lieutenants CURME, Honourable W. J. WARD, JENKINS, ALSTON, REILLY, MADDEN, CATOR, F. SMITH, and BROAD, have been brought to my notice.Most of the above officers took part in the action in Fatshan Creek, on the 1st of June. I would also venture to mention the name of Lieutenant Sholto DOUGLAS, commanding the Coromandel tender, which has carried my Flag in the river since the commencement of the operations, and who has conducted himself entirely to my satisfaction. Lieutenant F. R. PURVIS, Senior Lieutenant of the Actaeon, was prevented from participating in these operations in consequence of a serious wound received whilst assisting to put out a fire on the night of the 27th December. I cannot bear too high testimony to the important services rendered by the gun-boat squadron, under the varied and difficult circumstances in which they were called upon to act. Through the unwearied exertions of Mr. John DAVEY, the zealous and active Inspector of Machinery, they have been kept in an efficient state. Their gunnery was highly creditable, and their participation with the French gun-boats in the fire along the east wall, was most effective, nearly dismantling several of the gateways. They had also been constantly employed in the conveyance of stores, ammunition, sick, and wounded, and I can most cordially recommend the lieutenants commanding and the second masters, to their Lordships' favourable notice. Lieutenant Colin CAMPBELL of the Opossum, an officer of long service and merit, is placed on the staff of the Major-General commanding. I should be glad if their Lordships would be pleased to place at y disposal a few warrants for deserving Petty Officers, whose good conduct may be brought to my notice.

29. The fire from the Dutch Folly, directed by Major SCHOMBERG, was very effective, many of the shells exploding in the midst of the Government buildings on the City and gough's Heights I may add, that the accurate fire from the Cruizer, Hornet, Mitraille, and Fusée completely demolished the Viceroy's Yamun. I have much pleasure in noticing the services rendered by Captain SHADWELL, who had charge of the Gun Boats, and also of Commanders DEW and CRESSELL, of the Nimrod and Surprise, the fire from whom heavy guns must have materially assisted in disconcerting the enemy on the distant part of the walls.

30. I enclose a list of casualties in the Naval Brigade, amounting to 5 killed and 34 wounded, and 17 men severel burnt by an accidental explosion of a magazine. Five men have since died.

31. Every necessary arrangement had been made by Mr. David DEAS, C.B., the Medical-Inspector of the Fleet, for the comfort of the sick and wounded. The Inflexible was stationed for their reception, with a staff of medical officers and two "Chinese Chops," or covered junks, had been fitted up as hospitals and conveyed near the landing place. Besides these vessels, the Assistance, steam troop-ship, and Imperador and Imperatrice, steam-transports, were also prepared. Happily they were not required. Mr. DEAS makes favourable mention of Dr. John COTTON, Surgeon of the Inflexible; Mr. Richard D. PRITCHARD, surgeon of the Racehorse; Mr. FORBES, Surgeon of Cruizer; and Mr. Edward T. MORTIMER, Assistant-Surgeon of Hesper. Commodore the Honourable C. G. J. B. ELLIOT, has also mentioned the assistance rendered by Mr. W. BAYNES, Surgeon of the Sybille; Dr. Richard D. MASON, Surgeon of the Sans Pariel, and Mr. J. McSWINEY, Surgeon of the Furious.

32. The services rendered by Captain Harry E. EDGELL, of Her Majesty's ship Tribune, at Hong Kong, in forwarding our supplies and guarding the colony, entitle him to my warmest thanks and commendation.

33. I have on former occasions reported the great assistance rendered by Captain William K. HALL, my Flag Captain. I can only repeat, that I am under the greatest obligations to that officer for the untiring zeal with which he has devoted his whole energies to the good of the public service.

34. As Active operations may now be considered at an end in this quarter, I also take the liberty of mentioning the valuable services of Mr. W. D. JEANS, my Secretary, and the very laborious duties he has had to perform during the whole period of the existing difficulties with the Canton Government.

To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London
 
I have, &c.
M. SEYMOUR
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-chief.
 

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Enclosure to No. 14 of 1858.

RETURN OF CASUALTIES.

Her Majesty's ship "Cruizer",
January 1, 1858.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to transmit a nominal list of killed and wounded up to the evening of the 31st ultimo, and to inform you that, up to this time, the wounded have been disposed of without being exposed to the very least unnecessary suffering, and that every essential comfort has been afforded them.

To His Excellency Sir Michael Seymour, K.C.B.,
Commander- in-Chief, Canton.

 
I have, &c.,
(Signed)    DAVID DEAS,
Inspector of Hospitals and Fleets.
 

List of Casualties of Naval and Marine Brigades
before and in Canton,
on the 28th, 29th, and 31st December, 1857.


Actaeon.
Captain Wm. T. BATE,gingall ball in chest, killed.
Sanspareil.
Midshipman Henry THOMPSON,left arm and kidney pierced by
a rocket, mortally, since dead.
Sybille.
Edward LOFT, A. B.,would of chest, mortally, since dead.
Nankin.
John JACKSON, Blacksmith's Mate,wound of head, mortally, since dead.
Highflyer.
Joseph BAILEY, Captain of Mast,wound of head, mortally, since dead.
Calcutta.
Lieutenant Viscount GILFORD,arm broken by a gingall ball severely.
Charles FOSSETT, Captain of Forecastle,wound in right thigh, severely.
James PEARSON, Ord.,wound in right arm, severely.
William PAYNE, Ord.,wound in right shoulder, slightly.
James HOLLAND, A.B.,wound of head, severely.
Sybille.
John SMITH, A.B.,wound in left elbow, severely.
Jacob WILLIAMS, A.B.,graze of breast, slightly.
John BURLEIGH, A.B.,wound in ear, slightly.
Philip PALMER, Bandsman,wound in mouth, slightly.
William JEFFRIES, Sailmaker's Mate,wound in head, slightly.
Nankin.
J. BRUMBLECOMBE, Ord.,wound in arm, severely.
Cornelius SULIVAN, Ord.,wound in breast, slightly.
William BOCKHAM, A.B.,wound in shoulder, slightly.
Alexander CHARTERS, Carpenter's Mate,slightly.
Sanspareil.
George LANE, Ord.,wound in right foot, severely.
Alfred WATSON, Ord.,wound in right knee, slightly.
John McGUINESS, Ord.,wound in temple, slightly.
William CROKER, Ord.,wound in wrist, slightly.
Esk.
Charles BOWEN, Captain Mizentop,wound of chest,
dangerously, since dead.
Highflyer.
William BISSIDER, Ord.,wound of left arm, slightly.
Richard SANDFIELD Boy, 1st class,wound of head, slightly.
Niger.
Charles SMITH, Boy, 1st class,wound of left thigh,
severely, since dead.
Furious.
William RANDALL, A.B.,wound of left arm, slightly.
Racehorse.
George HIRD, Armourer,sprain, slightly.
Hornet.
Lieutenant William O. BUTLER,scalp wound, severely.
James FISHER, Master's Assistant,wound of arm, slightly.
John DAVIES, Captain of Afterguard,wound of left eye, severely.
Elk.
John MANUEL, A.B.,contusion, severely.
Patrick SWEENEY, Leading Seaman,slightly.
Cruizer.
Commander Charles FELLOWES,slightly.
William TILBURY, A.B.,wound of right thigh, severely.
J. DUNN, Captain Foretop,wound of left leg, slightly.
O. A. VIGNOLD, Captain Foretop,wound of left arm, slightly.
Inflexible.
Samuel POLWAN, Leading Seaman,wound of hand, severely.
 

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Another sailor, Michael WHITE, was at Canton, and survived, remembered the battle:

'Liverpool Mercury', Aug. 17th 1907

RECOLLECTIONS OF AN OLD SALT *

"... the engagement at Canton, when I was with the Naval Brigade, under Sir Robert MC CLURE. There was also there an awful scene. I was with the 500 blue jackets landed, and joined in the charge on the Chinese, under Lord GUILDFORD, later on the Earl of Clanwilliam, who recently died. The Chinese had come down in terrible force, determined to chase the “Blue Devils” into the sea. They soon found out their mistake, for they were mowed down in thousands. Lord GUILDFORD was as brave a man as ever lived, and he was the first to be wounded." [see below]


 
China Medal, Canton Clasp

From listings on the website Original Records.Com:

Sailors and marines on board Her Majesty's ship "Cruiser" (1856-1860): TILBERRY
"... medals were either delivered on board or sent on in 1862 ... some medals were not sent on for several years, and some were never sent."

William TILBURY (TILBERRY?) was probably awarded the China Medal, with the Canton Clasp since he took part in the battle.

Did William survive his wound ... or was he buried somewhere in China? If you know, please contact me!!

HMS Cruizer
screw sloop, wooden hull, length 160 ft., 747 tons displ. 1,045 tons, 17 guns;
launched 19 June 1852; last commission 1883; sold 1912.

2 August 1856 - 4 March 1858
Departed Portsmouth, Commander Charles FELLOWES, accompanied by gunboats Haughty, Staunch, Forester - via Rio de Janeiro (where she collided with a Swedish cargo vessel) to China, took part in the 2nd Anglo-Chinese conflict.

The Times of 2 May 1861 ** reported:

"... went up the Canton River, and shared in the affair at Fatshan and the bombardment and capture of Canton ... employed during the first attack on the Peiho Forts. Capt. FELLOWES ... was succeeded in the command by Commander BYTHESEA, V.C."

Cruizer then went up the Yangtze river to Hangkow; to Japan; returned to north China, was involved in survey work. The report continued:

"But one officer has returned to England in the Cruiser out of her original complement, and barely half her crew, many having invalided on the station or been appointed to other vessels. Only three deaths have occurred from sickness during the whole period of the ship's commission."

She returned to Portsmouth under Commander BYTHESEA, V.C., and was paid off on 1 May 1861.


 
* Recollections of an Old Salt: Michael White

** William Loney RN, Victorian naval surgeon

The Original Record

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