Colonial Medal

The Colonial Medal (French: "Médaille Coloniale") was a French decoration created by the "loi de finances" of 26 July 1893 (article 75) to reward "military services in the colonies, resulting from participation in military operations, in a colony or a protectorate". A decree of 6 June 1962 changed the term "colonial" to "overseas" (see Overseas Medal).

Colonial Medal
French Colonial Medal with multiple clasps
TypeCampaign Medal
Awarded forreward "the military services in the colonies , resulting from participation in military operations, in a colony or protectorate of any country.
Presented by France
StatusNo longer awarded, replaced by Médaille d'Outre-Mer
Established23 July 1893
Last awarded6 June 1962
Ribbon of the Colonial Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Médaille commémorative de Madagascar (1883–1896)
Next (lower)Médaille commémorative de l'expédition de Chine (1901)
RelatedMédaille d'Outre-Mer

Medal

Introduced by the Finance Act of 23 July 1893, its implementing decree dated 6 March 1894 lists the military operations carried out by France in its colonies or protectorates (Algeria - Cochin - Gold Coast - Marquesas Islands - Nossi- Bé - New Caledonia - Senegal and Sudan - Society Islands - Tunisia). The scope of the decree was therefore a broad retroactive effect, since the first operations considered for the award of the Medal colonial dating back to 1827, at the very beginning of the conquest of Algeria.

Since then, numerous other regulations were made which amend or supplement the award of this medal. The most recent include the decree of June 6, 1962 which transformed the Médaille Coloniale to Médaille d'Outre-Mer.

The colonial medal is closely linked to the existence of the French colonial empire .

Article 4 of the Decree of 1894 establishes the design of the medal. The it is 30mm diameter in silver. On the obverse there is the helmeted effigy of the Republic with "République française" engraved above. On the reverse, a world map occupies the central field, resting on an anchor across a trophy of arms . The ribbon, is white and blue with vertical stripes. Its length can vary this from 35 to 37 mm.

The design of the medal is attributed to Capitaine de frégate Saulnier Pinellas, because the original award was for sailors. Its production had the distinction of being performed by the administration of the Paris Mint and a private company that was responsible for manufacturing the socket of the pendant ring leaves and clasps crimping indentations. The sets were to be delivered complete to the ministries of the Navy and War . The ribbon, the skewer assembly and assembly were also part of the supply.

The two departments then presented the medals to the recipients, with some delay as they were not always immediately available. The monopoly of the Paris Mint and the sluggishness of its administration thus created a boom for the private market, forcing the administration to allow the manufacture in "parallel" under the set forth specifications. Nevertheless, some marginal versions appeared.

In 1913, the Monnaie de Paris decided to fully bear the manufacture of the Colonial Medal. The second type sees its official medal redrawn and engraved by G. Lindauer. The engraving of Georges Lemaire is recessed so that the first official type, it was relief. The foliage becomes single-sided pendant ring and the sleeve is formed of two truncated cones. For a very short period Hinged clips are rounded instead of being indented. There were many contemporary manufacturers.

Campaign Clasps

Campaign clasps which could be attached to medals awarded for service in overseas or colonial possessions include:

  • Algeria
  • Cochinchina
  • Maroc
  • Tonkin
  • Gold Coast (Côte De L'or)
  • Marquesas Islands (Îles Marquises)
  • Nossi-Be
  • New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Caledonie)
  • Madagascar
  • Senegal Sudan (Senegal-Soudan), created February 22, 1896
  • Society Islands (Îles De La Socitie)
  • French West Africa, created in 1900
  • Tunisia (Tunisie)
  • Sahara
  • Bir-Hakiem, 1942
  • Eritrea (Erythree)
  • Ethiopia (Ethiopie)
  • Fezzan
  • Fezzan Tripolitania (Fezzan Tripolitanie)
  • Kurfa (Koufra)
  • Libya (Libye)
  • Somalia (Somalie)
  • Tunisia (Tunisie), 1942–1943
  • Free French Africa

Recipients
"Médaille Coloniale" certificate of 1894 for the participation in the 1881 French occupation of Tunisia of Military Doctor Jean-Baptiste Doué.

With campaign clasp, if applicable.

See also
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