Storming of Hsiku Fortress casualty China Medal 1900, 1 Clasp: Relief of Pekin awarded to Able Seaman D.C. Gardner, H.M.S. Centurion who would suffer a bullet wound to the right arm at Hsiku Fortress on 23rd June 1900 before later taking part in the operations to relieve Pekin which lasted from 10th June to 14th August 1900. He would later serve in the Great War surviving the sinking of H.M.S. Hermes on 31st October 1914 when she was sunk in the English Channel by a German submarine.
China Medal 1900, 1 Clasp: Relief of Pekin; (D.C. GARDNER., A.B. H.M.S. CENTURION.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
David Carstairs Gardner was born in Kilrenny, Fife on 14th March 1879 and initially served as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Northampton from 8th May 1896 being promoted to Boy 1st Class on 8th August 1896. He would officially join for 12 years service on 14th March 1897 whilst serving with Narcissus being given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. He was promoted to Able Seaman on 2nd February 1899 shortly before joining H.M.S. Centurion on 24th March 1899.
He would go on to see service in China during the Boxer Rebellion whilst serving with Centurion, suffering a bullet wound to the right arm at Hsiku on 23rd June 1900 and going on to be present during the Relief of Pekin operations which lasted from 10th June to 14th August 1900. He would transfer to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12th August 1905 before later re-enrolling on 16th July 1900 for another 5 years service.
He would see Great War service initially aboard H.M.S. Hermes until 31st October 1914 when she was sunk in the English Channel by a German submarine, he would then spend the remainder of the war aboard the depot ships H.M.S. Wallaroo, H.M.S. Pembroke I and H.M.S. Tyne being demobilised ashore on 4th February 1919. He is noted as having received a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in March 1914.
