Private John Moyse, The 3rd (East Kent, The Buffs) Regiment of Foot, refusing to kow-tow before the Tartar Mandarin Tsan-koo-lin-sin, 1860

Oil on canvas by William R S Stott (fl 1905-1934), 1910 (c).

Moyse is shown, hands tied behind back, confronting a Chinese mandarin on horseback during the 2nd China War (1856-1860). Both are surrounded by armed Chinese. Moyse was captured by Tartar cavalry at the Taku Forts on 12 August 1860 and after refusing to kow-tow (bow) to the Mandarin was executed. His defiant action was later immortalised by Sir Francis Hastings Doyle in his poem 'A Private of the Buffs'. Moyse had been a sergeant, but was reduced to the ranks for insubordination prior to his death.