Spanish Suffering for the Country Medal

Suffering for the Country Medal. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: In the centre a blue enamel disc with a castle and the inscription 'SUFRIMIENTO POR LA PATRIA' surrounded by a chain and a laurel wreath on the outside edge. Reverse: Plain. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender. The 30 mm ribbon is watered yellow with green edges and has a red Saint Patrick's Cross across the width of the front. A gilded brass buckle brooch pin is stitched to the ribbon.

This medal was introduced by General Franco of Spain in 1940 and awarded to Republican troops that were wounded or held as a prisoners during the Civil War. 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.