Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 56

The China Medal awarded to Sergeant W. Woodgate, 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, who was awarded the Al Valore for his bravery during the Crimean War

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (Wm Woodgate. 44th Regt.), officially impressed naming, edge bruise, light contact marks, very fine

Note one of only two other ranks from the Regiment to earn the Sardinian Al Valore Militari.

William Woodgate was born in Lavenham, Suffolk, in 1827 and attested for the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot at Chelmsford, Essex, on 4 January 1847. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea, being present with them at the Battle of the Alma where they served with De Lacy's Second Division. Later he was also to see action at Inkermann and the Siege of Sebastopol. They took part in a number of actions during the Siege, notably the attack on the Malakoff in June 1855 and the Attack on the Cemetery. He was one of only two other ranks from the Regiment to be awarded the Sardinian Al Valore Militari, the citation stating:

'Private William Woodgate served throughout the whole War in the Trenches. He was found active and vigilant, and always ready for anything. He was present at the attack on the Cemetery, where his gallantry was particularly noticed. He always set a good example to his comrades by his readiness and cheerfulness under the most trying circumstances during the bad winter of 1854.'

He was later to serve during the Second Anglo-Chinese War, where he was present at the bombardment and assault on the Taku Forts on 21 August 1860 where the 44th Foot stood in the vanguard. Two companies were detailed to lead the assault on the Northern Fort, advancing without cover against the enemy's heavy fire, with bullets, spears, and arrows flying about in every direction. Soon the ditches in front of the Fort were strewn with casualties. As a watching British rifleman noted:

'The guns were crashing, and the enemy were hurling vases of lime, stinkpots, cold shot, stones, and anything else on which they could lay their Celestial hands, while the air, thick with battle-smoke, resounded with the heathens' yells and noises.'

Lieutenant Robert Rogers, 44th Foot, who led the assault and was the first Englishman in the captured Fort, was awarded the Victoria Cross, one contemporary newspaper described it as follows:

'Two companies of the 44th one commanded by Captain Gregory and the other by Lieutenant Rogers had rushed to the ditch to keep down the enemies galling fire of gingalls and matchlocks. There was no cover against the bullets, spears and arrows flying about in every direction, so Captain Gregory placed his men up to their middle in water and commences a fusillade against the Chinese on the parapets, himself seizing a rifle from a wounded soldier and using it with excellent effect for thirty rounds. Man after man of the 44th continued to drop and still there was no bridge.

Lieutenant Rogers rushed through the ditch, pulled out the spikes and succeeded in reaching the berm under the parapet wall.'

Woodgate was restored advanced Sergeant on 18 May 1866, and was discharged at his own request on 9 February 1869, after 22 years and 35 days' service; sold together with copied research including medal rolls and service papers.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£320