Italian War of Independence and Unity Medal

Italian War of Independence and Unity Medal with five bars '1848', '1849', '1860-61' '1867' and '1870'. Obverse: The bust of Victor Emmanuel II facing left with the inscription 'VITTORIO EMANUELE II RE D'ITALIA' around the circumference. Reverse: A crowned female figure holding a spear in her right hand and in her left supporting a shield bearing a cross. The inscription 'GUERRE PER L'INDIPENDENZA E L'UNITA D'ITALIA' around the circumference. The medal is fitted with three straight laurel leaf bars that slip over the ribbon and a loose ring suspender. A piece of 37 mm that has stripes of six dark red, white and green is attached to the suspender.

Awarded to combatant Italian troops who fought in the wars of independence to unify Italy between 1848 to 1871. Victor Emmanuel II became the first king of unified Italy in 1861. He died in 1878. 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.