Dinner gong : Victorian Naval Contingent, Boxer Uprising 1900-1901

Dinner gong made from a brass artillery shell case. The case has been fitted with a metallic bolt through its base, which suspends it within a frame. The frame has a solid dark wood base with a small brass plate at its front, engraved with the words 'China / Victorian / Naval / Contingent / 1900-1901'. The support frame for the gong consists of four large metal legs attached to a metal disc at the bottom, which is set into the wooden base. An arched metal cross at the top, with a hole in its centre, holds the bolt from the shell case. The gong comes with a small mallet with a wooden shaft and a head wrapped in fabric. Four thumb tacks have been inserted into the head of the mallet, possibly to create a greater sound when struck against the gong.

Dinner gong associated with the Victorian Naval Contingent to the Boxer Uprising in China, 1900. The Victorian Naval Contingent sailed for China on board the SS Salamis in July 1900. Made up of both professional sailors and reservist volunteers, they had little involvement in significant combat though they did play a role in the restoration of civil order. The contingent departed China for Australia on board SS Chungtu in March 1901.