6098' THE LONDON GAZETTE, OCTOBER 5, 1900.

For the undertakings of the expedition, for its different days. He had charge- of Lofa Station conduct and its issu \ I am responsible. Fort, defended it against various attacks, and •Tho: destruction .of the valuable " armourjV showed .good judgment while in.separate com- near Hsiku, may be regarded as some object at mand. . . least gained. Edward G. Lowther - Crofton? -When the somewhat unusual character of the of my Flagship, most intelligent and active; force, viz., the combination of eight different with great risk to himself he remained behind nationalities, is considered, it may, I think, be in the Hsiku Armoury on 26th instant, when we conceded that their harmonious action reflects left for Tientsin, to "set fire to and destroy.it, credit on the various members of the expedition, having made the preparations for so doing, which, and I venture to think it will tend to foster inter- were carried out by him most satisfactorily. national sympathies. This important service reflects very great credit I have with pleasure to acknowledge my grati- on him. ' • . tude to the various commanding officers for their Lieutenant Arthur. G. Smith, of H.M.S. hearty co-operation and. accordance to my "Aurora," led and commanded'an advanced post wishes, which is the more creditable to them above Langfang, on the line towards Peking, as our position was often an anxious one. with zeal and good judgment. Both officers and men have suffered a good William B.. C. Jones, of H.M.S. deal of pecuniary loss of clothes, &c., as we had <; Centurion," who took command of Lieutenant to leave behind in the trains nearly all that we Wyndham L. Bamber's company in the opera- could not personally carry, yet no want of tions on 21st June, after the latter officer was cheerfulness was observable. As regards our wounded. own sorvice, I shall submit claims for compensa- Mr. Charles Davidge, Acting Gunner of tion for the above to their Lordships. "Centurion," who ably assisted Lieutenant Crofton I have written officially to the respective in the destruction of Hsiku Armoury, and shared or Senior Naval Officers of the several the risks with him—they two being alone. foreign nationalities preeent to thank them for Major Jcimes R. Johnstone, R.M.L.I., of " Cen- their cordial co-operation throughout our short turion," has been most active throughout. He campaign, and to express my sense of the service often commanded all the marines present. He rendered by the officers and men in question. kept pushing ahead of the trains on our advance, 1 have especially referred to von to clear and protect the line. He it was who led Usedom, of the Imperial German Navy, who was the storming party I sent round on 22nd June senior officer present after myself. I nominated to carry the north angle of the armoury, near this officer to direct the expedition should I fall; Hsikn, and he has rendered very good service. and after I was deprived of the services of my Captain Richard 0. M. Doig, R. M.L.I., H.M.S. Flag Captain, by his wound at the battle of " Endymiou," has been very active throughout, Feitsang, I requested Captain von Usedom to and comrcanded the night expedition of one act as my Chief of the Staff, in which capacity hundredmen, on 22nd June,sent from the armoury he rendered very valuable service, and I beg to to try a,nd communicate with Tientsin, which submit the same to their Lordships. Captain von attempt he made with skill and credit. TJsedom was slightly wounded at Langfang. Mr. Francis C. Alton, my secretary, has been I must also specially refer to Captain B. H. near me throughout, and, as at all times, was of McCalla, of the U.S. Navy, who was of the the greatest assistance and value by his grasp of greatest value to me and to oil concerned. He matters and good judgment and sense. was slightly wounded in three places, and well Mr. Charles J. E. Rotter, Assistant Paymaster- merits recognition. of my Flagship, was in charge of the commis, Before closing my despatch I have the very sariat arrangements, a most difficult task under pleasing duty of reporting to their Lordships the circumstances, but performed by him with that the officers and men landed from H.JV1. ships, constant efforts and all possible success. To and present with me, acted throughout, as regards this, having regard to our foreign allies, Mr. energy, courage, and cheerfulness, in a manner Rotter's knowledge of German, and well-known well worthy of the high traditions of ELM. navy. tact and good temper, much contributed. I'might with truth mention favourably all names ; Fleet-Surgeon Thomas M. Sibbald, H.M.S. it is hard justly to discriminate, and there are " Centurion," has had charge of the hospital probably others who deserve special mention arrangements throughout, and has also been fully as much as those named below. much under fire. His activity, attention, and • I feel it right specially to recommend for their constant cheerfulness have gone far to mitigate Lordships' favourable consideration the following the sufferings of the wounded, and have met officers:— with my entire approval. Captain John R. Jellicoe, my Flag Captain, Mr. George H. Cockey, Engineer, H.M.S. who was, as always, of most valuable help, both " Centurion," took over the duties of company by his judgment and action, till disabled by a officer of the " Centurion's " marine detachment serious wound at the battle of Peitsang on 21st after Captain H. W. H. Beyts, R.M.A., fell on June. 23rd June, until their arrival at Tientsin, 26th Charles D. Granville, of my Flag- June, and was of the greatest assistance to ship, who ably commanded the Naval Brigade Major Jolmstone, R.M.L.1. with me after my Flag Captain was wounded. Mr. Arthur E. Cossey, Assistant Engineer, Commander William 0. Boothby, of H.M.S. H.M.S. "Aurora," at much risk to himself re- " Endymion," in command of the seamen from turned from our most advanced post towards that ship, and at times, of others also. He was Anting Station to bring important news. in every engagement, and I specially noticed his Mr. Clive Bigham, late Grenadier" Guards, energy and activity. I honorary attache to H.M. Legation, at Peking, Lieutenant George M. K. Fair, of my Flagship, has been attached to me as Intelligence Officer, employed on my Staff in Intelligence Depart- and .shown much zeal and ability as such j he has ment, &c., but diverted as required to other been of great value to me. duties, 'such as the very important one of getting Mr. Archibald Currie, C.E., B.Sc., resident along the junks with wounded. engineer in charge of railway line between Lieutenant Horatio "WV Colonib, of H.M.S. Tientsin and Peking, came with us to take "Endymion," was twice slightly wounded on 'charge of the trains and their personnel, and to