WW2 MEDAL OF FRENCH RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE CIVILIAN WAR HELPER MEDAL TYPE 2

Description

Offered is an original Medal of French Gratitude, 2nd Type, awarded being awarded to civilians for Second World War service.

31 mm wide circular bronze medal with laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a half-length classically dressed female figure wearing a Phrygian bonnet, facing left, a palm branch in her right hand, her left arm raised, touching the branch, signed ‘M’ Delannoy’; the reverse with a central escutcheon bearing the initials ‘RF’ (République Française = French Republic) within a circular wreath of linden leaves and roses, circumscribed ‘RECONNAISSANCE FRANÇAISE’ (French Recognition); bronze assay mark on the edge; on original ribbon.

The Medal of French Gratitude (French: “Médaille de la Reconnaissance française”) was a French honour medal created on 13 July 1917 and solely awarded to civilians. The medal was created to express gratitude by the French government to all those who, without legal or military obligation, had come to the aid of the injured, disabled, refugees, or who had performed an act of exceptional dedication in the presence of the enemy during the First World War. The creation of this distinction was mainly the result of unsuccessful offensives of General Nivelle in 1917 and the serious crisis of confidence in France. The French government thus wanted to thank those who, despite the crisis, were always volunteering. It has three classes: bronze, silver, and gold. Nearly 15,000 people and communities were recipients of this award. The medal is no longer awarded, the last award was on 14 February 1959.