French Franco-Prussian War Medal 1870-1871

Franco-Prussian War Medal 1870-1871. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The helmeted bust of La Republique facing left with 'REPUBLIQUE' on the left and 'FRANÇAISE' to the right. In the lower left quadrant the designers name 'GEORGES LEMAIRE'. Reverse: The dates 1870-1871 above a trophy of arms with a flag, and a tablet inscribed 'AUX DEFENSEURS DE LA PATRIE' (To the defenders of the country). The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 38 mm green ribbon with four black 5 mm vertical stripes.

Instituted in November 1911 and awarded to those with war service in the Franco-Prussian War between July 1870 to February 1871, in France or Algeria. The medal was awarded to participants who held a combatant's certificate, of which it is believed 150,000 existed. 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.