A Barrett Watts Capt Supt CRP (1902)

[us57]

I have a medal from 1902, edge inscribed "A BARRETT WATTS CAPT SUPT CRP".

Would like to now what "CRP" stands for and anything about A Barrett Watts.

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by us57

[peter monahan]

Can you describe the medal, or show us a picture, please, us57?  I'm afraid I'm a 'visual learner' and a photo is much more likely to jog my old brain.  Thanks.

[us57]

Here is an image.

[peter monahan]

My extensive knowledge of Chinese and French allows my to read 'Provisional Government of the District of Tientsin' on one side.  

And here it is!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin_Provisional_Government.  Picture of the medal in the article.  perhaps with that as a starting point you'll be able to track down the Captain, who may be British or American, I'd think, as the other nations involved were Russia, Japan, Germany, France, and Italy, as per the flags.  A link to the famed 'Boxer Rebellion'!

Edited February 18, 2018 by peter monahan

[1314]

At that time the Chief Police Officers in charge of the Municipal Police Forces in the Treaty Ports on the China Coast and the Colonial Force in Hong Kong ,bore the title Captain Superintendent.Hence CAPT SUPT.

I can find no reference to " Barrett-Watts" on the China Coast at that time,detailed research into the Tientsin community at that time should reveal more.

CRP could be Chinese Railway Police ?

[1812 Overture]

On 07/10/2018 at 16:41, 1314 said:

At that time the Chief Police Officers in charge of the Municipal Police Forces in the Treaty Ports on the China Coast and the Colonial Force in Hong Kong ,bore the title Captain Superintendent.Hence CAPT SUPT.

I can find no reference to " Barrett-Watts" on the China Coast at that time,detailed research into the Tientsin community at that time should reveal more.

CRP could be Chinese Railway Police ?

The display of the Tianjin Museum in China, interestingly, is next to the St. Stanislav Medal of the Russian Empire.

https://www.kaimen360.com/jingpin-783.html

Chinese introduction to this medal

https://baike.baidu.com/item/天津都统衙门/141449

The Tientsin Provisional Governmen Introduction

 

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

The picture is from a Morton & Eden catalogue, I can't remember witch one.

It doesn't mention  "A BARRETT WATTS CAPT SUPT CRP".

 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

[Trooper_D]

I believe this to be for Arnold BaSSet Watts. The clue was here,

 

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/35411530

 

FindMyPast has him as a private in the Tientsin Volunteer Corps with the China Medal to his name. His promotion seems to have been rapid! 

[No one]

Dear Trooper_D,

 

Well done! Your information is much appreciated.

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

[Trooper_D]

Those interested in more about the Tientsin Volunteer Corps (TVC) should look at the article 'The Tientsin Volunteer Corps in the Boxer Rising, 1900' which appears in pp. 179-181 of volume 36 of the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research. It can be accessed, through JStor, at the link below (registration required),

 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44228890

 

The article contains the following photo of Privates F A Kennedy, A S Annand and F R Scott. The object on their head is described as a 'black lambskin cap, similar to that worn at the time by Canadian troops in Winter kit'. They were armed with the Martini-Henry.

 

There is reason to think that Arnold Bassett Watts was the brother of James Hector Watts, also of the TVC and the hero of the Siege of Tientsin in 1900 (a James Arnold Watts - their father? - died in Tientsin, aged 59, between 1901-1905.

 

James Watts rode through enemy territory to the Naval station at Taku and was successful in seeking a force to relieve Tientsin when the defenders were on their last legs. For his pains, he was awarded the Rettungsmedaille am Bande, a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold and was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

 

The TVC, as a man, refused to receive their China Medal as, being civilians, they were initially refused the 'Relief of Peking' bar awarded to the regular soldiers who took part in the defence of Tientsin. However, subsequent questions in Parliament ensured that they were properly so recognised.

 

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1903/apr/02/medals-for-tientsin-volunteers

 

Finally, James Arnold Watts, the putative father to Arnold Bassett Watts, was described as a pilot in the entry of his death. If his son followed in his father's footsteps, I wonder if CPS might stand for something line China Pilot Service?

Edited November 6, 2023 by Trooper_D

[No one]

Dear Trooper_D,

 

Interesting read, thank you.

 

Yours sincerely,

No one