Hendrik

Hello Danio, Not French but Belgian, I think. It looks like one of those medals you get at the end of a yearly organized march. Anything on its reverse ? Regards, Hendrik

Had a closer look at the Italie 1859 medal and its ribbon indeed indicates the French medal and not the Italian one I was thinking of - my mistake. No longer of any importance here but I seem to recall reading the bars on the Italian independence medal were added to the campaign medal's ribbon in case of participation in actual combat.

Hi, Here's a picture of the campaign medal and the "Sul de Angola 1914-15" bar. Regards, Hendrik

Thanks for the link, Paul ! Excellent stuff Regards, Hendrik

and a few GIL crosses in black, red and light blue :

Some more pictures ... ONB on its ribbon :

Very impressive, especially the Jean Laserre medal and career details ! Keep it coming please

Ciao Claudio ! Very interesting - please continue this thread on the Risorgimento period medals And ... since you mention the St. M & L Order, an overview of its different models would be nice too ... Best regards, Hendrik

Hi, Looks fine to me - First type (oval suspension), Army model, Paris Mint manufacture. Regards, Hendrik

Hello, The "blue" ribbon would be the blue and black of the Order of Leopold II, with crossed swords indicating it being an award to a WWI veteran. The white striped red ribbon is the US Medal of Freedom I think. Regards, Hendrik

Hi, No problem with the bars, ribbon and medal but the wounded device is unlikely to be original : the official wounded device is described as having 5mm high cross arms (making the device about 1 cm high). The one on your medal is a later type as used for WW2 or later awards. See the attached picture for an original one. Just in case you're wondering : the Russia bar in the picture is a non-official type !

Foreigners would more likely receive the 1st class for "special dedication" or something similar which does not require those years of service.

Bonjour Thierry, Award criteria are 10 years unremunerated participation in Red Cross activities for the silver class. Silver bars can be added on the ribbon for each 5 years extra. The gold class is awarded to recipients of the silver class for 25 years of unpaid service. Again silver bars can be added per 5 years extra (max. 2 bars) and a gold bar is awarded in lieu of a third silver bar (thus rewarding 40 years).

Hi, Last official bar for the Libya Medal was "1931" ... so the absence of WW1 medals is perhaps not too surprising.

Quite possibly. I don't know the current regulations about opening files publicly and not enough time may have passed yet ...

That information would likely be in his military file kept in the Evere (Brussels) military base. You'd need to make an appointment and go there in person ...

Hi, Pvt. Albert Ribaucourt, S33940, departed for Korea on 18 December 1950 and returned to Belgium on 15 June 1951. Regards, Hendrik

Hello, I suggest you visit www.medals.be and read the chapter on the French Colonial Medal there.

I have no idea of the award numbers ...

Here's one on the correct ribbon :

Those look like the "Victory Decoration" but on the wrong ribbon of the "Resolution for Victory Decoration" ... Regards.

The current type as mentioned above ...

PM sent

... and if you're wondering about award criteria : Silver class : 20 years of service Silver-gilt : 25 years Gold : 30 years for volunteer firemen, 35 years for professional firemen