Question on the Combattant's Cross

[TacHel]

Hey gents.

I have a squadron mate who is trying to recreate his great-grand-father's medals set that was lost/stolen/destroyed a long time ago. We were able to acquire his service records identifying his multiple awards but I have a question aboiut the Combattant's cross.

 

The gentleman is an African who enlisted in the French colonial infantry in Senegal in 1909. He served in Morocco then against German forces in Cameroon until wounded and medically released in 1917. The man did receive a Combattant's card giving him the right to wear the Combattant's Cross.

 

My question is as follows: is he also eligible for the Volunteer Combatant's Cross 1914–1918? If so, does he wear both?

 

Thank you,

 

 

Edited Friday at 21:05 by TacHel

[No one]

Dear TacHel,

 

I don't know if this Tirailleur is eligible for the "Volunteer Combatant's Cross", but yes he can wore both.

"La croix du combattant volontaire est portée après la croix de guerre et avant la croix du combattant."

"The Volunteer Combatant's Cross is worn after the War Cross and before the Combatant's Cross."

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

[ChrisKelly]

The Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918 is awarded in addition to, not in lieu of, the Croix du Combattant.

 

From "Wikipedia":

 

"The Act of 4 July 1935 created the Croix du Combattant Volontaire, designated for those who volunteered to serve on the front in a combat unit during the Great War.

 

The requirements for obtaining the cross were defined by the decree of 28 November 1935.

 

The qualifications of the candidates have been reviewed by a panel from 1951, twelve members as follows:

 

Minister of National Defence: Chairman;

Secretary of State for War: two members;

Secretary of State for the Navy: two members;

Secretary of State for Air: two members;

Office national des mutilés et combattants: two members;

Association d'engagés et de combattants volontaires: three members.

 

The decree of 10 April 1936 extended the award to the few surviving volunteer firefighters from the War of 1870–1871."

 

Likely your "Tirailleur" qualifies, if he was indeed a volunteer and not a conscript.  Such proof as an enlistment contract should suffice.

 

Sources:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Combatant's_Cross_1914–1918

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combatant's_Cross

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 01:54 by ChrisKelly