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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Medaille Militaire (French Award)


SteveE

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Been puzzling over this one for a little while now,

GS/32607 Private Reginald Davis, Royal Fusiliers, was awarded the Medaille Militaire by the French Government and which was Gazetted August 31st 1917, presumably for some service in East Africa.

My question is why? I understand that a foreign award sometimes followed on the back of a British award but in this instance I can't even find him with a Mention in Despatches? Any ideas?

Steve

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Many foreign decorations were essentially allocated to subordinate units who were requested to send in the names of soldiers recommended for the awards. Sometimes these were men who had been decorated and sometimes they were picked for reasons that are no longer obvious. It is quite possible that you will never find the answer to why he was so decorated. Regards. Dick Flory

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Dick

Thanks for the reply, looks as if I'll just have to keep puzzling over this one.

Steve

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And then you realise that you've puzzled over something for so long that you've become blind to the fact that you know why he was awarded it and what's more you have the proof from the man himself in a letter to the Times.

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"Wood for Trees" I know the feeling nice to have tied that one up,you are much luckier than most,as as Rflory states most are lost in the mists of time!

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French KIA/DOW etc. were automatically awarded the MM (which came with the C de G). These were issued with an illustrated memorial scroll.

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