French Croix de Guerre for Overseas Theatres of Operations

French Croix de Guerre for Overseas Theatres of Operations. Unnamed as issued. A cross pattée with crossed swords between the arms. Obverse: The centrepiece bearing the head of Marianne, symbolic of the French Republic, facing right surrounded by 'REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' and a laurel wreath at the base. Reverse: 'THÉATRES D'OPÉRATIONS EXTERIEURS' on three lines in the centre circle. The medal has a loose ring suspender fitted to a ball mount on the top arm. A piece of 37 mm pale blue ribbon with 9 mm red edges and a bronze palm leaf, pined to the front, is attached to the suspender ring.

Approved in 1921 for gallantry in operations outside France or foreign theatres of war after November 1918. The design is the same as the Croix de Guerre 1914-18 except for the reverse inscription and the ribbon. The bronze palm indicates an regimental (army) mention in dispatches. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.