A fine Boer War Natal operations and Boxer Rebellion attack on the Taku Forts pair awarded to Able Seaman W.H. Ritchie, H.M.S. Terrible, later H.M.S. Whiting who having taken part in the Boer War in South Africa during the land operations in Natal would go on to be present in China during the Boxer Rebellion where as part of the crew of the destroyer H.M.S. Whiting he would participate in the attack on the Taku Forts on 17th June 1900 where his ship was hit by Chinese shells before being involved in the capture of four Chinese Destroyers. 1 of 66 China Medals to H.M.S. Whiting, 57 of which were issued with the bar Taku Forts.
Pair: Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 1 Clasp: Natal; (A.B. W.H. RITCHIE. H.M.S. TERRIBLE.) China Medal 1900, 1 Clasp: Taku Forts; (W.H. RITCHIE. A.B. H.M.S. WHITING.)
Condition: dark toned, loose-mounted for wear and with minor edge-bruising to both medals, Very Fine
William Hedley Ritchie was born in Bishop Wearmouth, Durham on 20th July 1875 and would join H.M.S. Boscawen as a Boy 1st Class on 21st August 1890, before being advanced to Boy 1st Class on 27th August 1891. He would be appointed an Ordinary Seaman whilst serving aboard H.M.S. Active on 16th August 1893, and would be promoted to Able Seaman whilst aboard H.M.S Ramillies on 6th September 1894. After several shore appointments, he would transfer to H.M.S. Terrible on 14th September 1899 and would serve aboard her during the Boer War in South Africa where he would participate in actions in Natal, 1 of 223 men from H.M.S. Terrible to receive the clasp Natal. He would subsequently serve in China during the Boxer Rebellion aboard H.M.S. Terrible, H.M.S. Glory, H.M.S. Centurion and H.M.S. Whiting. Ritchie was one of 66 men of H.M.S Whiting entitled to a China Medal, and one of 57 entitled to the Taku Forts clasp. Whiting would play an important role in the Battle of Taku Forts on 17th June 1900. Chinese gunnery from the forts aimed at the ships was accurate, also hitting HMS Whiting, SMS Iltis, and Lion and driving Giliak aground. The Russians turned on the searchlight of Giliak, exposing them to Chinese guns. Giliak and another ship were severely damaged. 18 Russians were killed and 65 were wounded. The attack on Taku by the Allies influenced Empress Dowager Cixi's decision to support the Boxers.
The most serious offensive threat to the Allied attack on the Forts were four modern German-built destroyers laying alongside the dock at Taku. These warships could have easily overpowered the Allied ships, but inexplicably they remained docked even after the Chinese opened fire. Two British destroyers, HMS Whiting and HMS Fame (the former commanded by Lieutenant Colin Mackenzie and the latter by Roger Keyes), each towing a whaleboat with 10 men aboard, darted alongside the Chinese ships and boarded them. The Chinese only offered weak resistance before fleeing and leaving their ships in the hands of the British.
The artillery duel continued inconclusively until nearly dawn, when the Allies stripped their ships of crew and mounted a ground assault on the Northwest Fort. 200 Russians and Austrians led the way followed by 380 British and Italians with 300 Japanese bringing up the rear. In a bit of luck for the allies, the gunpowder magazine exploded just as the ground assault began, and in the confusion afterwards the Japanese had the honor of storming the fort. The British and Italians then led the way on the assault of the North Fort, which was soon captured.
Two forts remained on the south side of the river. The Allies turned all their guns, and the guns in the two Chinese forts they had captured, on these two forts. They blew up another powder magazine in one, and shortly afterwards the Chinese soldiers abandoned the forts. The Allied ground force then crossed the river and captured the forts with almost no opposition. The battle of the Taku Forts was over at 6:30 a.m. The Allies had suffered 172 casualties among the 900 soldiers and sailors engaged. The number of Chinese casualties is unknown, but the forts were described as flowing in "rivers of blood". However, Robert B. Edgerton says that Chinese casualties were "probably not heavy".
Ritchie would be later invalided out of the service on 4th June 1903
