France automatic Medaille militaire, CdG ?

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have seen a number of those WW1 large decorative death certificates to French soldiers, mounted with the medaille Militaire and CdG.

Somewhere on the web I read that this was an automatic award for a KIA.

Can anyone confirm this? Best

Chris

[Hendrik]

Chris,

I think that is indeed the case although I haven't yet seen any official text on the subject confirming it. To my knowledge those severely wounded in combat (i.e. resulting in min. 65 % invalidity being proclaimed) would also qualify for such awards...

[Michael Johnson]

My mother's cousin Adjt. Antonin Gautier was killed in 1918 with SPA 80. I remember my friend Vicken Koundakjian saying that he would have qualified fr the Medialle Miltaire, but I never had any confirmation. Last week I was doing genealogical research and found a listing from a memorial tablet which confirms a posthumous Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, which would fllow with the award of the first medal.

[PKeating]

#1

[PKeating]

The award document unfolded. This was tucked into the lid of the M?daille Militaire box and is quite a rarely encountered document. As you can see, Blanchard was honoured about eight years after his death.

PK

[Hendrik]

The award document unfolded. This was tucked into the lid of the M?daille Militaire box and is quite a rarely encountered document. As you can see, Blanchard was honoured about eight years after his death.

PK

... and a very early casualty as well ! A very nice document confirming these posthumous medals and indeed rare. Good show

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here ya go....

[PKeating]

Thanks for the comments and for the file entry photocopy!

PK

[Chris Boonzaier]

seems it took some time to identify him and confirm his death...

[Chris Boonzaier]

Prosper... I think your man was killed by the 92nd infantry Regiment, or at least the 20th Division.

[Michael Johnson]

[attachmentid=28981]

My mother's cousin Adjt. Antonin Gautier was killed in 1918 with SPA 80. I remember my friend Vicken Koundakjian saying that he would have qualified fr the Medialle Miltaire, but I never had any confirmation. Last week I was doing genealogical research and found a listing from a memorial tablet which confirms a posthumous Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, which would fllow with the award of the first medal.

And here is a picture of Cousin Antonin (right) with his uncle (my great-uncle) Marcel Verzieux, of the G?nie. Oncle Marcel had the L?gion d'Honneur (in my collection), and Croix de Guerre.

I was able to get a nice CG, MM pair on eBay to frame up with blowups of the family photos.

[Hendrik]

[attachmentid=28981]

I was able to get a nice CG, MM pair on eBay to frame up with blowups of the family photos.

Well done ! A fitting tribute I would say. You might consider adding a French WWI Commemorative Medal and Interallied Victory Medal ...

[Michael Johnson]

Well done ! A fitting tribute I would say. You might consider adding a French WWI Commemorative Medal and Interallied Victory Medal ...

I have those currently in with Oncle Marcel's decorations.

Then, of course, there is my grandfather, so I need another two, and I can throw in my name-erased BWM to cover his service with the Royal Engineers as an interpreter. And in that regard, I want to get hold of these records:

Marie Emile Adrien Darte. The French government let him go in 1915, but only on 6-month extensions. Although he became a Canadian citizen c. 1920, he continued to receive French Army mobilization notices until his class retired.

[Michael Johnson]

Chris,

I think that is indeed the case although I haven't yet seen any official text on the subject confirming it. To my knowledge those severely wounded in combat (i.e. resulting in min. 65 % invalidity being proclaimed) would also qualify for such awards...

Here's a good example of one eBay

[Chris Boonzaier]

Thats nice indeed! are you bidding on it or can I go for it?

Best

Chris

[Michael Johnson]

Thats nice indeed! are you bidding on it or can I go for it?

Best

Chris

Bid away, and the best of luck.