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Bronze Greek (Geneva) cross on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face vertically hatched denoting the heraldic colour ‘gules’ (red) and inscribed ‘SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE SECOURS AUX BLESSÉS DES ARMÉES DE TERRE ET DE MER’ (French Society for the Aid of the wounded of the armies of the land and sea) and dated ‘1870’ and ‘1871’ above and below; the reverse plain; on rare original ribbon with embroidered red cross and with bronze palm leaves with central red enamel red cross, the enamel now largely absent.
The Society was founded on 25 May 1864 following the signature of the Geneva Convention in 1863 and declared of public interest in 1866.
During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871, its first major engagement on French soil, its men and women volunteer members were placed at the disposition of the Corps de Santé Militaire and performed countless acts of mercy for the wounded of both sides of the conflict.
A good example, rare with palm leaf citation.
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