French Medaille Militaire

Medaille Militaire. Obverse: The head of Marianne, symbolic figure of the Republic, facing left, surrounded by the inscription 'REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE * 1870 *' within a blue enamel ring. The outer edge is formed from a wreath of laurel leaves. Reverse: The words 'VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE' on three lines within a blue enamel circle (damaged). The suspender is a loose ring attached to a mount bar that is a collection of crossed arms and an anchor behind a breast plate. A piece of 38 mm watered gold ribbon with light green edges is fitted to the suspender ring.

Established in 1852 by the Emperor Louis Napoleon, this medal is awarded to military personnel for bravery. 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.