French Mexican Campaign Medal 1862-1863

French Mexican Campaign Medal 1862-1863. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The head of Napoleon III facing left with the inscription 'NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR' within a bound olive wreath. Reverse: The inscription 'EXPEDITION DU MEXIQUE *1862.1863*' around the battle honours: 'CUMBRES', 'CERRO.BORREGO', 'SAN.LORENZO', 'PUEBLA' and 'MEXICO' all within an olive wreath. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 36 mm white ribbon embroidered on both sides with a brown eagle with folded wings, holding a green snake in its beak and claws, over a St Andrews cross that has a green bar and a red bar.

Instituted on 29 August 1863 and awarded to members of the French expedition to Mexico, which eventually extended into 1867. 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.