Italian Military Order of Savoy

Officer of the Military Order of Savoy (4th Class). Unnamed as issued. A white cross clechée with a green laurel wreath between the arms. Obverse: Crossed swords on an red (orange) enamel disc with '1855' at the top between the blades. Reverse: In the centre the Royal Arms of Savoy, being a white cross on a red field, within a red enamel circle with 'AL MERITO MILITARE' in gold letters. The suspender, with a loose ring at the back, is a trophy of flags superimposed with white enamel crosses. A piece of 39 mm blue, red and blue in equal widths is attached to the suspender.

Established by King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia in 1815 and awarded for distinguished service in war. There are 5 classes - Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight. The first three classes had the royal crown above the cross. The Officer class had the cross suspened from a trophy of flags. The lowest class, the Knight, suspended the cross from a simple ring. The Knight class could be awarded to soldiers and sailors. With the fall of the monarchy, this Order was retained, but renamed the 'Order of Military Merit of Italy'. 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.