Royal Victorian Medal. Edward VII silver issue

Un-named as issued

Sold together with:

a). Original letter of award on Buckingham Palace letter-head, showing recipients name Mr. P. Peacock and dated 16 March 1906 and signed by the Secretary General of the Royal Victorian Order

b). Two contemporary photographs mounted on paper (removed from a frame) of the recipient in uniform and another of his son

c). Various photocopied research / newspaper extracts

The medal mounted on its original silk riband, complete with investiture pin with hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued

Positive attribution: Awarded to Peter Peacock, Inspector (Escort) H.M. Embassy, Tokyo, late Inspector-in-Chief who was in command of the British Legation Mounted Escort on the occasion when the British Representative, Sir Harry Parkes, was attacked by Ronin (former 'Samurai') in Kyoto, Japan, on, 23 March 1868

Quote,

Mr. Peacock Honoured:
The many friends of Mr. Peter. Peacock, Inspector, His Britannic Majesty's Embassy, Tokyo, will be pleased to hear that on the occasion of H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught's visit to Japan, he was honoured by the reception of the Royal Victorian medal, attached to the Victorian Order. Mr. Peacock came out to Japan in early days as Inspector-in-Chief of the escort furnished for Sir Harry Parkes, and participated in the melee at Kyoto which was caused by an attack on Sir Harry Parkes, in 1868, when a large proportion of the small force defending the British Representative was wounded and two were permanently maimed. Fortunately Mr. Peacock was uninjured on this occasion, but the same staunchness to duty which characterised his conduct on that historical occasion has marked his subsequent service, and it is extremely gratifying to his friends that his services should now have obtained royal recognition. There is no more loyal British subject or popular British resident in Japan than Mr. Peacock, and it is hoped that he will live long to wear his new honours.’ (contemporary newspaper cutting refers).

Unquote.

Sold with two oval portrait photographs mounted on paper (previously removed from a frame) showing the recipient wearing his uniform and cap as Inspector-in-Chief, British Legation Escort, Tokyo. The other being his son, Charles Xavier Peaccock (born in Yokohama, 1886), and copied research, which indicates that Mr. Peacock died only a matter of weeks after receiving his medal

Peter Peacock died in Japan on 31 May 1906. His body was buried in Japan - a country he lived in for 49 years - at the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery, located at, Yokohama, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan. His memorial flagstone recording '49 Years of Devoted Service in the British Legation and Embassy. Age 65. A truly remarkable record of service in the land of the rising sun, encompassing the entire period of Japan's emergence from isolationism to becoming an open, modern, industrial power .

Condition: EF

Code: 23632