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China: Guan Tianpei (1781-1841), Qing Dynasty admiral who served bravely and fell in the First Opium War (1839-1842)

China: Guan Tianpei (1781-1841), Qing Dynasty admiral who served bravely and fell in the First Opium War (1839-1842)

Guan Tianpei (simplified Chinese: 关天培; traditional Chinese: 關天培; Wade–Giles: Kuan T'ien-p'ei; 1781 – 26 February 1841) was a Chinese admiral of the Qing Dynasty who served in the First Opium War. His Chinese title was 'Commander-in-Chief of Naval Forces'.

In 1838, he established courteous relations with British Rear-Admiral Frederick Maitland. Guan fought in the First Battle of Chuenpee (1839), the Second Battle of Chuenpee (1841), and the Battle of the Bogue (1841). A British account described his death in the Anunghoy forts during the Battle of the Bogue on 26 February 1841:

'Among these, the most distinguished and lamented was poor old Admiral Kwan, whose death excited much sympathy throughout the force; he fell by a bayonet wound in his breast, as he was meeting his enemy at the gate of Anunghoy, yielding up his brave spirit willingly to a soldier's death, when his life could only be preserved through the certainty of degradation. He was altogether a fine specimen of a gallant soldier, unwilling to yield when summoned to surrender, because to yield would imply treason'.

The following day, his body was claimed by his family and a salute of minute-guns was fired from HMS Blenheim in his honour.

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