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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 296

Shanghai Jubilee Medal 1893, silver (J. B. Cameron), with original suspension ring, extremely fine

John Black Cameron was born at Kirkmichael, Banffshire on 9 February 1848, one of the eleven children of John & Margaret Cameron. He went out to Hong Kong and joined the Scotch Contingent of the Hong Kong Police Force in February 1872, joining the Masonic Lodge in April 1874. Appointed an Assistant Foreman in the Hong Kong Fire Brigade in July 1874 by the Lieutenant-Governor, he took salary as a 1st Class Police Sergeant in addition to his Constables salary.

He was raised 2nd Class Inspector in January 1879 and served six years at Yaumati and also shared in the Wing Lok Street Incident, in which Cameron shot dead a robber. Having served many years, he was granted six months leave in March 1882, which raised much correspondence (TNA CO129/198, refers), together with discussion over whether he could accept a gold watch from the people of Yaumati. It was decided it would be refused until he retired.

Returned from his leave, his knowledge and action against opium, salt and other smuggling was questioned. Transferred to pension in January 1884, he had joined the Shanghai Municipal Police and was a Chief Inspector at the Central Station on Honan Road by 1885. Having been widowed, he married the 22 year old Lillian Harris at Shanghai Cathedral in February 1890. Rising to Acting Sanitary Inspector, Cameron withdrew from the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and upon retirement purchased the Hongkew Dairy.

One final move would follow, for Cameron then moved to the Woodville Ranch, Strathcona, Alberta, North West Territories. He died there on 25 April 1905 and is buried in the Mount Pleasant Municipal Cemetery; sold together with a file of copied research.

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800