Prussian War Commemorative Medal 1870-71

War Commemorative Medal 1870-71 with the bars 'WEISSENBERG', GRAVELOTTE ST. PRIVAT', 'METZ', 'LE MANS', 'ORLEANS', 'SEDAN' and 'PARIS'. Reverse: A cross pattee with sun rays between the arms and '1870 1871' on two lines within a laurel wreath. Obverse: 'W' surmounted by a crown over 'Demsiegreichen heere' (To the victorious army) and ' Gott war mit uns Jhm sei die Ehre' around the circumference. The medal is fitted with a ring suspender and a piece of 35 black ribbon that has a central red stripe and white stripes near the edges. The seven bars are pinned through the ribbon.

Awarded to Prussian troops who fought against France between 1870 and 1871. The bars were issued in 1895 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the war. There were 25 separate bars, 21 for battles and 4 for sieges. A steel medal was awarded to non-combatant troops with a different obverse inscription. The rim is not impressed with 'AUS EROBERTEM IM KREIG' (From captured cannon) and it is possible that this example is an 1895 restrike because this wording is not present. 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.