Small circular silver medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a Greek (Geneva) cross centrally with vertical hatching denoting the heraldic colour ‘gules’ (red), circumscribed ‘ASSOCIATION DES DAMES FRANÇAISES · 1879’; the reverse plain; with ‘tête de sanglier 1’ silver hallmarks on the edge; age-toned; diameter 23.3mm (0.92 inch); on original slightly discoloured ribbon with embroidered red cross and with ‘CROIX ROUGE FRANÇAISE’ scrolled bar mounted for wear. The Société Française de Secours aux Blessés Militaires (French Society for the Aid of Wounded Military) was founded on 25 May 1864. In 1879, following disagreements about the participation of women, especially in areas of conflict, the breakaway Association des Dames Françaises (ADF) was created under the leadership of Dr. Duchaussoy. The Society remained independent until 1940 when the French Red Cross was created from the merger of the Société Française de Secours aux Blessés Militaires, the Association des Dames Françaises and the Union des Femmes de France under a decree issued by Marshal Pétain. A good example.
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