French Colonial Medal 1893 Accession Number: RELAWM14778

Description

French Colonial Medal 1893 with the bar 'ALGERIE'. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The bust of La Republique facing left wearing a helmet and a laurel wreath with 'REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' around the circumference. The engravers name is at the base. Reverse: A terrestrial globe superimposed on a trophy of flags and the inscription 'MEDAILLE COLONIALE'. A hall mark and 'ARGENT' are stamped on the rim. The medal is fitted with an ornate double sided foliage suspender and a piece of 37 mm white ribbon that has two broad light blue stripes and light blue edges. The silver rectangular bar is clipped over the ribbon.

Contextual Description

Instituted 26 July 1893, this medalas was awarded to those that served in operations between July 1827 and December 1847 that lead to the colonisation of Algeria. Later a decree extended the award of this bar to service in operations between 1871 and 1906. The French Colonial medal is a long running award and various manufacturers have been involved in its production. It has a large number of official and unofficial bars - including retrospective awards going back to 1827. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.

Details

Conflicts

• 19th century

Places

• Algeria

Units

• French Army

Tags

• French awards and medals