French Croix De Guerre

[bcerha]

My grandfather who was an RN Able Seaman but served on land from 1915-1917 manning field guns in the "Neuport Sector" was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French in 1917 for his role in sustaining smokescreens during an attack. I just wondered how often British serviceman were awarde these medals.

To my shame I have'nt fully researched his war record yet - but I do know he was invalided back to UK in 1917 when a shell blew up and partially blinded him in one eye. Thankfully he survived the war and lived until 1966.

Any help on this would be great

thanks

David

[paul guthrie]

Lots of CDG were given to allied and US to award as they saw fit, many have the impression it's a more uncommon award than it is. You in turn give allied armies medals to distribute.

[bcerha]

Thanks for that - I didn't think it was that rare, but how often was it given direct by the French themselves? I have a copy of my Grandfathers citation which is in French and was written by a French Colonel who recommended him for the award, so it would appear that this one was awarded by the French themselves and not a "gizzit" from the British! Does that make it any rarer?

David