French Haute Silesie Medal

Haute Silesie Medal. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: In the centre an eagle upon a shield in front of oak leaf branches and 'HAUTE SILESIE' on a banner at the top. Reverse: The dates '1920 - 1922' in the centre on one line surrounded by 'COMMISSION INTERALLEE DE GOUVERNEMENT ET DE PLEBICITE', (Inter-Allied Government and Plebiscite Commission), around the circumference. The medal is fitted with a small oak leaf suspender and a piece of 37 mm light blue ribbon with a broad central yellow stripe.

This unofficial medal was struck to honour the soldiers who had kept order during the time of the Inter-Allied Government and Plebiscite Commission ordered by the League of Nations in 1921 to decide whether Upper-Silesia should come under the control of Germany or Poland. 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.