Belgian Yser Medal

Belgian Yser Medal. Unnamed as issued. Artificially patinated bronze medal with a small 15 mm medallion at the top in green enamel. Obverse: A nude helmeted male standing facing right, holding a lance that symbolises the barring of the way of the enemy. To the right are the dates '17-31 OCT 1914' on three lines. The the upper medallion bears the word 'YSER' within a wreath. Reverse: A wounded lion facing left with a battlefield background and 'YSER' in the exergue. The upper medallion has a crown over 'A' within a wreath. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 39 mm black ribbon with a 20 mm red centre stripe.

This medal, instituted in 1918, was awarded to troops who took part in the action along the River Yser between 17 to 31 October 1914 against General von Falkenhayn's German attack. The Belgians suffered about 60,000 casualties, nearly a third of their strength. 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.