The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Vatican Cross of Mentana 1867. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattée with concave ends to the arms. Obverse: A circular central medallion bearing the Papal arms circumscribed ‘FIDEI ET VIRTUTI’, the upper, left, right and lower arms are inscribed ‘PP’, ‘PIUS’, ‘IX’, ‘1867’ respectively. Reverse: A circular central medallion bearing a Latin cross within a laurel wreath, inscribed above ‘HINC VICTORIA’. The medal is fitted with a pierced ball on the top arm for a loose suspender ring and a piece of 34 mm white ribbon that has two light blue stripes.
The medal was created by Pope Pius IX on 14 November 1867 to commemorate the Battle of Mentana on 3 November 1867 in which a combined force of 3,000 Pontifical troops and a Corps of 2,000 French defeated an attempt by Garibaldi to take Rome. The Imperial French government authorised the wearing of the medal with uniform on 3 March 1868. 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.
Vatican Cross of Mentana 1867. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattée with concave ends to the arms. Obverse: A circular central medallion bearing the Papal arms circumscribed ‘FIDEI ET VIRTUTI’ (Loyal and
Vatican Cross of Honour. A cross patonce with a fleur-de-lis between the arms. Obverse: In the centre a medallion with the bust of Pope Leo XIII, facing left, within a circlet inscribed 'LEO XIII P.M.
Polish Cross of Valour. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattee with concave arms. Obverse: The Polish eagle on a shield in the centre with 'NA' (top), 'POLU' (left), 'CHWALY' (right) (on the field of glory
Polish Cross of Valour. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattee with concave arms. Obverse: The Polish eagle on a shield in the centre with 'NA' (top), 'POLU' (left), 'CHWALY' (right) (on the field of glory
Lombok Cross 1894. Unnamed as issued. A bronze cross pattee with concave ends and ball finials. Obverse: The young head of Queen Wilhelmina facing right within a central circle and on the arms 'LOMBOK
Portuguese War Cross. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattee with curved ends to the arms that have plain flat edges with pitted recessed centres. Obverse: A small central medallion with a laureated female
