Introduction - Sgt. John Minton USMC

I'm trying to introduce myself as a new member; U.S. Marine veteran doing research on the Boxer Rebellion (China Relief Expedition). One of those original Legation Marines, Private France Silva, is buried near my home (Tehama County, California) and received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

My research indicates that Capt. John T. Myers, U.S.M.C. and the Legation Marines earned the respect of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I'm hoping I can locate more information on this relationship between the Marines and the Fusiliers. I also hope to write a book about Private Silva and those first Marines in the Legations. Thank you.

Semper Fidelis,

Sgt. John Minton
Marine Veteran

Welcome John, I got your email and will reply here. We have a number of forum members who are well into military history and research and I am sure that some of them will be in touch with you shortly.

We all hope you find your membership of our forum to be fun as well as useful for your planned book.

Keith,

Thank you. I've read about the great friendship developed between the US Marines and the Fusiliers. I understand there is some sort of statue in honor of Capt. John T. Myers, USMC, in your museum (I think).

Sadly, sometimes our own Marine Corps doesn't assist to quickly in researching our traditions and history. I was hoping that one of your historians could locate any photos or documents (letters, diaries, journals) pertaining to the Boxer Rebellion.

I've been working on this for three years - a great hobby and distraction from life. We have Young Marines who are really involved in so many activities (ages 8 - 18), including patriotic - like honoring France Silva each November 10 (Marine Corps Birthday). Later, I will post some photos of the Young Marine Color Guard and Marine Corps League (Detachment 1140) Honor Guard at the grave site of Pvt. Silva.

Again, thank you for allowing me access to your organization. I feel very honored.

Semper Fidelis,

Sgt. John Minton
Marine Veteran

A warm welcome John,

I think that the first place to look is at RWF Regimental records. I do not have a copy to hand, but will be in a position to have a look in early Dec, and will post any USMC information. Its possible in the meantime, one of our members may be able to assist.

Welcome John,

It is widely known that after the Boxer Rebelion both the RWF and the Marines took home a vast quantity of silver. Much of this silver was used to make trophys and trinkets for the Officers and Sgts messes. Also it was used to make crested drums and a Drum Majors mace. All of this silver is still with the Regiment in one form or another. It is my understanding that the Marines got a share of this "booty" and I would be interested ito know what they did with there cut!

Best Regards,
Paul.

Hello Boxer Marine,
On my web site I have quite a few pictures of the Boxer Rebellion. I will try and dig out more info on the 2nd battalion of the U.S marines who fought at Pekin.The pictures are copy righted but let me know if you are interested and I will see what I can do.
My web site address is http://mdonovan.free.fr/rwf

Regards RBD

Hi Boxer Marine,
You may already be aware of the following which I have copied from the book called "That Astonishing Infantry" the following was written by Private Owens "We were on outpost duty defending Tientsin railway station,and we were posted to the engine shed.
The American Marines took one end of the shed and we took the the other end. There was a custom that we used to exchange rations with the Americans, because their's was nice biscuits and bacon, and ours was hard biscuits and bully beef". The book goes on to say, the US Marines, who were suffering under an army general who disliked Marines were only too glad to have some other english speakers with whom to make friends and the friendship forged first at Tientsin has continued to this day and was especialy commemorated when the Marines commisioned John Philip Sousa to write a special march for the Royal Welch Fusiliers which the band and drums first played under the composers baton in 1930.
There is a recording in the regimental museum of a Private Jones who relates his experience in Pekin, I dont remember the date it was made but it was a long time ago.
Sorry if you already have this info, I thought it may be of interest to you.
Regards,
Joe.

Hello Boxer Marine,
The 2nd Battalion U.S. Marine Corps and the 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers formed a long lasting friendship from the time they served in China.They exchange greetings on Saint David's Day. The Imperial Chinese Goverrnment was either too weak to attempt to suppress the atrocities of the "Boxers" or what was nearer the truth the Chinese Government secretly encouraged the "Boxer" uprising whilst pretending to resist them.The outrages committed by these fanatics became more frequent and serious as time went on, especially at Pekin where on the 20th of June the whole foreign community crowded into the British Legation for safety and a state of siege immediatley commenced.For nearly 8 weeks the besiegers gallantly defended themselves until relieved by an international force of which the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was the only representative of the British Infantry.The share taken by this Battalion in this enterprise is as follow.Instructions were received on the 9th of June to hold 300 men in readiness to proceed to North China as soon as possible. "A" "C" & "E" companies under the command of Major F Morris with Captains Gwynne and Richards Lieutenants Rotheram, Flower,Walwyn & Owen with 329 N.C.O's and men embarked on H.M.S Terrible on the 16th of June for pasage to Tientsin.
The Terrible arrived at Taku at daybreak on the 21st( the forts had already been taken by the allies)and the force disembarked at once the Royal Welch Fusiliers entering the river in H.M.S. Fame On landing at Tong Ku the Royal Welch Fusiliers and 150 seamen and marines under Captain Craddock proceeded by train until about 7 miles from Tientsin the train was partially derailed:then the party bivouacked and the next day, the 22nd of June came up with American Marines and Russians who had suffered a check
There are another 10 pages of the Chinese war to complete.I am very busy at present but if I can obtain your private e mail address I can complete the narrativei it lists the British forces engaged in this war and a list of casualties which you may find interesting.
More Later RBD