Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very rare ‘Chinese Civil War’ C.G.M. awarded to Able Seaman Clifford Beese, H.M.S. Kiawo, for “conspicuous courage amongst the survivors of the boarding party” who had attempted the rescue of the crews of the steamers Wanhsien and Wanting which had been seized by Chinese troops at the port of Wanhsien on the Yangtze river in September 1926, an action described by one historian as a “twentieth-century revival of a Nelsonic manoeuvre”; Beese was amongst the wounded and received one of two C.G.M’s awarded for this action, the only such awards made in the inter-war period and his sole entitlement

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (J.103009 C. Beese. A.B. H.M.S. Kiawo. Wanhsien. 5.9.26.) naming officially impressed in small capitals, mounted as worn, suspension claw tightened, edge bruises and nicks, otherwise nearly very fine £12000-15000

Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection (Part I), Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

C.G.M. London Gazette 16 May 1927. The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following decorations and medals to officers and men of H.M. Navy and the Mercantile Marine, in recognition of their services at Wanhsien, Yangtze River, China, on 5 September 1926, and the connected events: C.G.M. Able Seaman Clifford Breese, H.M.S. Kiawo, “for conspicuous courage amongst the survivors of the boarding party.”

At the end of August 1926, General Yang Sen attempted to commandeer the British steamer Wanliu to provide his troops with free transport. As she was discharging passengers at Yunyang, 40 miles down river from the port of Wanhsien, on the Yangtze river, Chinese soldiers from a sampan boarded her whilst another sampan approached. The Chinese rushed the bridge and engine room but were driven back by the ship’s officers. The approaching sampan collided and sank, drowning many soldiers and losing thousands of dollars in currency meant for the troops. In the confusion the soldiers aboard the Wanliu seized the Captain and threatened to kill him unless they were taken to Wanshien. He had no option but to comply; however, on arrival at the destination, they were met by H.M.S. Cockchafer whose Captain and crew were able to order the Chinese to disembark.

In order not to lose face, General Yang Sen then seized the S.S. Wanhsien and the S.S. Wantung, placing about 300 soldiers aboard. The two ships were moored alongside the Cockchafer with their rifles trained on her. Hopelessly outnumbered, the Cockchafer was trapped.

After negotiations for the release of the men and ships had failed, the Admiralty ordered a naval expedition to Wanhsien to secure their release. H.M. Gunboat Widgeon and the steamer Kiawo, the latter manned by officers and men from H.M. Ships Despatch, Mantis and Scarab, made up the expedition to support H.M.S. Cockchafer. Beese, himself, came from the Scarab.

On September 5, the expedition, led by Commander F. C. Darley, R.N., calmly sailed into the trap. When the British ships made their move to release the hostages, they were subjected to a fierce fire from cannon, machine guns and rifles. The British ships promptly replied, firing at the Chinese on the ships as well as at the gun emplacements around the shoreline. During this action the Kiawo attempted a boarding but was repelled by overwhelming odds and suffered heavy casualties. Nevertheless she managed to attain the release of the hostages who were all safe, apart from Mr Johnson, the Chief Engineer of the steamer Wantung, who unfortunately drowned while trying to swim to safety.

Commander Darley, two Lieutenants, and four men were killed, while two officers and four men were wounded, including Able Seaman Beese.

Petty Officer F. W. Warburton, of H.M.S. Kiawo, was also awarded the C.G.M., when he took command of the boarding party after Lieutenant A. R. Higgins R.N. was killed during this action. These two C.G.M.s were the only awards of this rare medal made between the period 1920 and the Second World War, and being peacetime awards are of great rarity. Awards for the action at Wanhsien, in addition to these two C.G.M.’s, were two D.S.C.’s, four D.S.M.’s and 28 mentions in despatches.

Clifford Beese was born at Bristol, Gloucestershire, on 31 August 1904, and was a cabinet maker by trade when he engaged for 12 years service in the Royal Navy on 31 August 1922. His record of service notes that he was ‘wounded in action with Chinese troops on 5/9/26’ and that he was ‘awarded C.G.M. for service at Wanhsien 5/9/26 (London Gazette 6/5/27)’. He was confined for 7 days in November 1929 for being drunk and striking a constable on shore, and for 14 days in October 1931 for absence, although his conduct was always described as Good or Very Good. Beese was granted free discharge from the service on 16 March 1932, the C.G.M. being his sole medal entitlement.

The original Admiralty Appreciation Signal of the Wahnsien incident accompanies the C.G.M. and reads as follows:

‘Admiralty to Commander in Chief, China.

“Having received your telegraphic report of the expedition to Wanhsien on Sunday 5 September, Their Lordships, while deeply regretting the loss of valuable lives and the number of casualties suffered, note that the traditional gallantry of H.M. Service was fully sustained by all Officers and Ratings who took part in the hazardous expedition which resulted in the extrication of H.M.S. Cockchafer from her dangerous position and the rescue, with one exception, of the British Mercantile Marine Officers of the two Steamers. Their Lordships desire that an expression of their warm appreciation may be conveyed to all Officers and Ratings concerned.”

Sold with copied research, including London Gazette entries, service papers, and copied extracts from Armed with Stings by A. Cecil Hampshire and Gunboat! by Bryan Perrett, both of which give detailed accounts of this remarkable incident.