Italian Independance Commemorative Medal

Italian 1848 Independence Commemorative Medal. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: In the centre a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus surrounded by the inscription 'BENEMERITO DELLA PATRIA' with oak and laurel branches at the base. Reverse: A trophy of flags and arms crossed behind a Roman suit of armour. The inscription 'INDIPENDENZA ITALIANA 1848' around the circumference. The medal is fitted with a small ring suspender and a piece of 37 mm half purple and half yellow ribbon .

Issued as a commemorative medal for the anniversary of the First War for Italian Independence against the Austrians in 1848. 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.