WW1 FRENCH CROSS OF THE COMBAT VOLUNTEER 1914-1918 MEDAL

Offered is an original Combat Volunteer's Cross of France for First World War service.

36 mm wide bronze cross pattée with laterally-pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with an upright sword on which is imposed a circular central medallion with the head of a soldier facing left wearing a laurel-crowned helmet within a ring inscribed ‘REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE’, the arms of the cross decorated with laurel and oak leaves; the reverse with a central circular medallion decorated with laurel leaves within a ring inscribed ‘COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE’ and dated ‘1914-1918’; on original, faded ribbon.

The Cross was established on 4 July 1935 to reward French and foreign volunteers who served at the front during the Great War.