Location
On the main walk through Victoria Park.
 
Description
Rectangular base with round column surmounted by sphere, white and red granite, head of centurion on round column. Base 1920mms square.
 

Memorial
HMS Centurion MemorialClick image to enlarge
 
HMS Centurion
HMS Centurion
 
Admiral Sir EH Seymour
Admiral Sir EH Seymour
Inscription (Front)
HMS CENTURION
NAVAL BRIGADE
NORTH CHINA 1900
-----------
PEIT SANG
HSIKU PEIYANG
TIENTSIN
ERECTED BY
ADMIRAL SIR E.H.SEYMOUR GCB
THE CAPTAIN, OFFICERS AND SHIP'S COMPANY
OF
H.M.S.CENTURION.

 
Inscription (Left)
IN MEMORY OF
THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THAT SHIP
WHO WERE KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED
WHILST GALLANTLY DOING THEIR DUTY IN THE NAVAL BRIGADE
NORTH CHINA 1900
ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE OFFICERS
AND MEN WHO DIED DURING THE COMMISSION
1897-1901.

 
Inscription (Right)

KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS:-
FLEET SURGEON T.M.SIBBALD R.N.
CAPTAIN H.W.H BEYTS R.M.A.
 

E.S. WYATT C.P.O.
E.TURNER P.O. 1ST CLASS
G.SPILLER P.O. 1ST CLASS
T.WRIGHT LDG. SMN.
T.J.RESTALL LDG. SMN.
S.H. BONE A.B.
J.CUFLEY A.B.
R. PARSONS A.B.
F. SHARPE A.B.

R.SKIPSEY A.B.
T. TOWNSEND A.B.
J. BRYSON ORDY.
H.S. BOLTON ORDY.
W.T. LLOYD ORDY.
A. BEAUMONT STO.
J.CLAYTON STO.
W.EDWARDS STO.
A.C. THOMPSON STO.

J.W.CURTIS ARMR.
A. NOBLE COOPERS CREW
E. LUNN GUNR. R.M.A.
J.T. YATES GUNR. R.M.A.
F.W. BRIGGS PTE. R.M.L.I.
A.E. ELLIS PTE. R.M.L.I.
F.H.FOSTER PTE. R.M.L.I.
E. FRISBY PTE. R.M.L.I.
G.H. HAWES PTE. R.M.L.I.


DIED DURING COMMISSION
FLEET SURGEON C.A. MACAULEY R.N.
MIDN. P.F. BACKHOUSE R.N.
 

BOSN. W.J. GOUGH R.N.
J. BECKETT A.B.
J. CRONIN A.B.
 

W. BENNET ORDY.
W.J. HAYMAN ORDY.
G. ALLEN LDG. STO. 1ST CLASS
A.E. UNDERDOWN DOM. 1ST CLASS

D. MCARTHUR STO.
W. MITCHELL STO.
D. O'MAHONY STO.


 
Further Information
The eighth CENTURION was a 14-gun twin screw battleship, launched at Portsmouth in 1892. She was of 10,500 tons, 13,214 horse-power, and 18 knots speed. Her length, beam and draught were 360 ft., 70 ft., and 25 ft.
 
In 1900 the "Centurion" commanded by Captain John R. Jellicoe, and flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hobart Seymour, took part in the third China War or "Boxer Riots."
 
Sir Edward Seymour was the senior flag-officer of the Eight Nationalities assembled in the Far East, and as such presided over their Councils.
 
On June 9th a detachment from the "Centurion" proceeded in a Naval Brigade of Mixed nationalities, 2,000 strong, with 19 guns, for the relief of Peking, under Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour. This expedition went through some very severe fighting and suffered a loss of 2 officers and 63 men killed, and 20 officers and 210 men wounded before withdrawing. Captain Beyts, R.M.A., of the "Centurion", was killed and Captain John R. Jellicoe, who behaved with great gallantry, and 4 other officers of the same ship were wounded.
 
From June 26th to July llth, a detachment of officers and men from the "Centurion" assisted in the capture and defence of Tientsin, and during this period lost 5 killed and 14 wounded. In August the "Centurion" contributed a number of officers and men to a British Naval Brigade, which advanced to the final and satisfactory relief of Peking, with 20,100 troops under Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Gaselee.
 
In 1910 "Centurion" was sold at Portsmouth for £26,200
 
See also the memorial in Victoria Park to the men of HMS Orlando who died in some of the same engagements.
 
Links
Wikipedia (HMS Centurion)
Wikipedia (Captain John Jellicoe)
Wikipedia (Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hobart Seymour)
Wikipedia (Boxer Rebellion)
 

top