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The Graveyards of Gallipoli; A Digger History Associate Site |
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A Tribute to the Men of all the Nations that took part in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 |
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Medals available to the French troops at Gallipoli |
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The
Legion of Honor Medal is
France’s most prestigious award. It can be earned by French citizens
for feats of military victory and bravery. The French Legion of Honor
can also be awarded to French and some foreign civilians for honorable
deeds done for France. This award was first created by Napolean
Bonaparte on May 20, 1802 in order to establish an elite group of men of
honor to be recognized and rewarded for their military service to their
country.
There are three different ranks that can be awarded: Chevalier, Officier and Commandeur and two additional honorable titles (Grand Officier and Grand'Croix). The award winners among French citizens in the military and French civilians are listed in the newspaper, Le Journal Officiel. It is rare for a foreigner to receive this award and even more rare for a woman. |
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French -Order of the Black Star of Benin (1889-1963) Commander's neck badge This Order was established by King Toffa of Porto-Novo (present day capital of Benin) to recognize the service of his loyal subjects and the French Colonial forces, which assisted them in the Dahomey War. It was adopted as an official Order of France in 1896. It was awarded in five classes (Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight). France bestowed the Order on Army and Navy officers, who served in French West Africa (Senegal, Sudan, Niger, Guinea, Dahomey (Benin) and the Ivory Coast) and also in Equatorial Africa (Congo, Gabon, Tchad and Oubangi-Chari (Central African Republic)). The Order is designed as a Maltese cross with four white enamel arms with borders of blue. Four golden rays (silver for Knights) are placed between each arm of the cross. A small five-pointed black star is mounted on the center of the planchet. The planchet is suspended from the pale blue ribbon by a green enamel laurel wreath. The reverse is the same as the obverse. The decoration is 45 mm for Knights and 62 mm for the other grades. |
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Médaille Militaire, French decoration for "Valeur et Discipline" (Valour and discipline). MÉDAILLE MILITAIRE (French) Instituted 1852, for award to non-commissioned officers, other ranks and ratings of the army and navy, for acts of bravery in action and who had received one or more wounds, also for Generals and Admirals commanding armies and fleets. A silver medal, consisting of a gilt medallion within a silver wreath of laurel. OBVERSE Until 1870, the head of the Prince-President Louis Napoleon, later Emperor Napoleon III, within a blue border inscribed LOUIS - NAPOLEON. Above the medal was the French eagle, head to right, with drooping wings touching the medal. In less than a year this was altered so that the wings did not touch the medal (this was the type awarded to many British troops during the Crimean War). With the fall of the Empire, the head of La République and the circumscription, REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE 1870, appeared on the medallion, the date being removed in February 1951. The first type of the Third Republic had a trophy of arms in place of the eagle; this appeared on both sides and was soldered to the medal. Later the trophy was hinged, with a plain reverse (this type was awarded to many allied troops during the 1914-1918 War). REVERSE All types, VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE in the medallion. RIBBON Ribbon 38mm, yellow with 5mm green edges. Text from 'Ribbons and Medals' by H Taprell Dorling. Copyright Osprey Publishing Ltd. |
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French Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives en bronze; (Medal of Honour with bronze wreath), |
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| This medal was available for award to French troops and later, in France, it was also awarded to 16 men of the AIF. | |
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| Croix de Guerre (France)
(War Cross 1914-1918 ) Probably the best known French
decoration, this cross was awarded to all those French nationals who
were mentioned in dispatches since the outbreak of war (2 August 1914).
It was instituted on 8 April 1915 as an outward recognition for being mentioned in the order of the day of an army, corps, division, brigade or battalion. Award of the Legion of Honour for valour displayed on the field or of the French Military Medal automatically brought entitlement to the War Cross for French nationals. The reverse side bears the year 1914 together with the year in which they were struck/awarded (1915, 1916, 1917 or 1918). |
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French Croix De Guerre de Exterieurs Theatres D'operations (Version for the Foreign Legion and other French troops that served outside France). This finely-detailed, solid bronze medal is 1½ inches wide x 1½ inches high. (2¼ inches high including the suspension ring). The original ribbon is 1½ inches wide and has a bronze star attached. (The centre of the ribbon is light blue, the outside is bright red). |
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French Unit Decoration Fourragere (fancy shoulder lanyard) is a World War I award. It was awarded to French & Allied units who participated in the liberation of France during World War I and all members of those units are authorized to wear it regardless of when they served. |
| The Fourragere never gained Australian Government approval for wear by Australian Units. The Fourragere (in various colours) was also awarded to French Units, for "collective gallantry". Details on the image called Page 33. | |
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| Obverse above, reverse below | Close up of the reverse |
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<<< France;
War Cross (Croix de Guerre) for Overseas Operations. WWI
The Croix De Guerre de Exterieurs Theatres D'operations About 1½ inches all around with swords inside a cross, in the center a woman (La République) with laurel leaves on a French "Adrian" helmet around which is the lettering " REPUBLIOUE FRANCAISE". On the back in the center is THEATRES at the top, D'OPERATIONS in the center and EXTERIEURS on the bottom. Shown with palm. See other image above for same medal with bronze star. |
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French Orient medal |
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WW1 Medal, France - Volunteer for Military Service |
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