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British Expeditionary Force was in China and Captain William D. McSwiney of the 7th Dragoon Guards was seconded for special service as Railway Staff Officer in August 1900 - at the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion in China - to Tientsin during the Anglo-Russian Railway dispute. He was fluent in many languages, including Russian. General Sir E.G. Barrow, Chief of Staff of the Anglo-Indian contingent, gave generous testimony to Capt McSwiney's tact and reliability under circumstances of great difficulty and (diplomatic) delicacy.