Medals of the French Colonial
Empire
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Hendrik |
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Tientsin Civic Merit Medal (France - Concession at Tientsin) - Much focus is given to the medals of the foreign powers in Shanghai, especially the medals of the French Concession, but to the north was the French Concession at Tientsin (now Tianjin), located on the boundary of the Gulf of Chihli and the North China Plain. This is the French Concession of Tientsin Medal of Civic Merit. (Ref: Ed Emering) |
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France Society of Veterans of the 3 and 21 RIC Colonial Merit Medal This rare decoration was created on 28 January 1949 by Mr. Paul Patin, President of the Society of Veterans of the 3 and 21 RIC (Regiment Infantry Colonial) for award to members of the Society. The Medal is awarded to recognize those individuals, who have distinguished themselves by their dedication, their activities and their competence in the maintenance, support and the management of moral and material interests of the Federation and the Society that it incorporates or by their earlier colonial service and their actions in the support of the French armed forces and public works projects abroad. The medal has one class only. It would, however, appear that originally several classes were under consideration. Medals with a rosette on the ribbon (officer class), such as the one pictured here, do exist. Officially though, the medal has only been awarded on a simple (chevalier’s) ribbon. Again, the image depicted here seems to be that of an awarded (and used) medal. The medal is gilt-bronze, 40 mm diameter. It’s obverse is formed by an open wreath with laurel leaves left and oak leaves right, enamelled dark green and gilt-edged. The top part of the wreath carries a white enamelled, gilt-edged band with gilt letters, MERITE left and COLONIAL right. There is an artistic script on the top central portion of the white enamelled band. On the wreath is laid a white enamel, gilt edged, modified Maltese-style cross with only 3 double-pointed arms (the two arms at either side are larger than the one at the top). Each point is capped with a gilt ball finial. In the center, is a red enamelled medallion. Over the cross lies a raised gilt fouled naval anchor, symbol of the former Colonial Forces. The reverse is flat, without any mark or inscription. (Ref: Ed Emering) |
