China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (G. W. Allen, Band. Cpl., H.M.S. Orlando) possibly officially re-impressed naming, edge bruising and polished, good fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee.

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George William Allen was born at St. Marylebone, Middlesex in November 1876 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in February 1891. Appointed a Band Corporal in February 1899, while serving aboard H.M.S. Orlando, he witnessed active service in China in the following year, as part of the Naval Brigade landed for the relief of Pekin operations. Allen, who transferred to the Royal Marine Band in January 1905, is known to have received the L.S. & G.C. Medal in May 1918 and would, of course, have qualified for a minimum entitlement of a British War Medal 1914-20 during the Great War.