Type War medal Status No longer awarded | Eligibility Belgian citizens Established 20 September 1911 | |
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Awarded for Service in the army during the Franco-Prussian war | ||
The 1870–71 Commemorative Medal (French: Médaille Commémorative 1870–71, Dutch: Herinneringsmedaille 1870–71) was a Belgian campaign medal established by royal decree on 20 September 1911 and awarded to all members of the Belgian Army who were mobilized during the period from 15 July 1870 to 5 March 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War.
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Award description
The 1870–71 Commemorative Medal was a 32mm in diameter circular bronze medal with raised edges on both sides. Its obverse bore the escutcheon of the Coat of arms of Belgium under a royal crown. To the left and right, along the circumference of the medal, the relief inscription "L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE" ("Strength through unity"). The reverse bore a stylised relief capital letter A, the monogram of King Albert I of Belgium over the years 1870–71 also inscribed in relief.
The medal was suspended by a ring through the suspension loop from a 35mm wide silk moiré ribbon divided into seven equal 5mm wide longitudinal stripes, black, light green, red, light green, red, light green and black.
Notable recipients (partial list)
The individuals listed below were awarded the 1870–71 Commemorative Medal: