Baltic Medal; China Medal (1857-60) clasp Canton 1857; Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal QV (GE. SUMMERTON. COLR. SERGT. 17TH CO. R.M.L.I.); Royal Marine Meritorious service Medal (GEO. SUMMERTON. LATE COLOR SERGT. 17TH CO:CH:R.M.L.I.)
George Summerton was born in Hook Norton, Chipping Norton in 1834. He enlisted with the Royal Marines on his 20th birthday in 1854 and was posted to 17th Co RMLI. After serving at the RMLI in Woolwich until February 1855 he embarked aboard the 3rd Rate HMS Russell and sailed for the 2nd phase of the Baltic expedition in support of the Crimean War. He was awarded the Baltic Medal for this (unnamed as awarded). He was promoted to Corporal at Woolwich on 17 May 1856 whereafter he embarked aboard the 2nd Rate HMS Calcutta bound for the China Station. Summerton was involved in the attack on Canton on 28 December 1857 when a landing was made to take the forts and eventually the city. For this action he was awarded the China Medal with Canton 1857 clasp (unnamed as awarded).
He was then promoted Sergeant and transferred to HMS Princess Charlotte on 20 December 1860 followed by a move back to Woolwich in May 1861. He was promoted to Color Sergeant in 1869 and discharged on 31 July 1875 after 21 years service with Exemplary Character rating. He died on 19 August 1914. Although in every way official, no record could be found for the date of award of the MSM
Sold with his copied service papers.
