Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The rare Tientsin C.G.M. group, of eight awarded to Ordinary Seaman Ernest Whibley, R.N., Admiral Beatty’s messenger on Barfleur, who assisted in carrying in three men across a heavy fire-swept zone, and aided Midshipman Basil Guy in the attempted rescue of a wounded seaman under an intense fire, on which occasion Guy was awarded the Victoria Cross

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue, scroll suspension (Ernest Whibley, Ordy. Seaman, R.N. China. 1900.) officially engraved naming; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (E. E. Whibley, Ord., H.M.S. Barfleur); 1914-15 Star (Mate, E. E. Whibley, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E. E. Whibley. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, the first two with light contact marks, good very fine, otherwise extremely fine (8) £12000-15000

Provenance: C.G.M. ex D.N.W., December 2011; reunited with campaign medals purchased by the current vendor in 1973.

Only 8 Conspicuous Gallantry Medals were awarded for services in China 1900.

C.G.M. London Gazette 14 May 1901: ‘In connection with the recent operations in China.’

Whibley was recommended in Vice-Admiral Seymour’s report on occurrences in connection with the attack on the native walled city of Tientsin on 13th and 14th July, 1900, in the following terms: ’Ernest Whibley, Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. “Barfleur”, for the great coolness and gallantry he displayed in assisting to carry in three men across a heavy fire-swept zone.’

On 13th July the Allies advanced on the city of Tientsin across a wide open space under concentrated fire from the Chinese on the city walls. Casualties were high and the men from Barfleur had lost six out of a total of 30. Captain David Beatty was leading his small company with Major E. V. Luke of the Royal Marines and Midshipman Basil Guy.

Able Seaman J. McCarthy was one of those who were shot when 50 yards away from shelter. Guy stayed with him and tried to lift him up and carry him in but was not strong enough to do this. But he did see to the man’s injuries before running back to get assistance to bring him back to shelter. Whilst Guy was attending to McCarthy, the rest of the group reached cover and the Chinese concentrated all their considerable fire on the young midshipman and the wounded man. Although the ground around them was beaten up with bullets for fully five minutes, by a small miracle neither was hit and Guy dashed for the cover to get assistance. A stretcher party was organised by Beatty and included his messenger, Ordinary Seaman Whibley. Unfortunately, as they made their way back, McCarthy was hit again and killed.

Beatty duly recommended Guy for the Victoria Cross and Whibley for the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and while it was stated that all members of the stretcher party deserved the V.C., it was only Guy and Whibley who were decorated for this action.

Ernest Edwin Whibley was born at Godalming, Surrey, on 29 November 1880, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St Vincent on 4 March 1896. He served aboard Barfleur from October 1898 to June 1901, during which period he advanced through the rates to become a Leading Seaman. He received his China campaign medal in a presentation by H.M. The King on 8 March 1902, in addition to the award of the C.G.M., for which he subsequently received an Annuity of £10 on attaining the rate of Petty Officer 1st Class in June 1904. Whibley received a warrant rank as Acting Mate in October 1914 and was promoted to Lieutenant in June 1917. He retired in August 1920, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander (Retd.) in June 1925. He was recalled for service in W.W.II in August 1939 and served in Portsmouth and Gibraltar until December 1942 He died on 23 January 1959. Sold with copied record of service.