Framed WW1 French Medals & Certificates To KIA Soldier

For sale is a Framed WW1 French Medals & Certificates To KIA Soldier Battle Of Marnes 1914.

  In the larger frame that measures 39cm width x 57cm height are two French medals a Médaille militaire and a Croix de Guerre. The larger frame holds the “in memory of, A tribute from the nation Certificate” which was awarded to the next of kin posthumously.    The smaller frame that measures 25.5cm width x 31.5cm height holds the Médaille militaire certificate in. At the bottom of this certificate there is a paragraph that translates to “A Brave soldier, having behaved valiantly under fire from the beginning of the campaign. Fell gloriously, on September 6, 1914, at Noyers. War Cross with bronze star.”   These all belong to one soldier Arthur De’sire’ who served with the French 89e régiment d'infanterie (89th Infantry Regiment). Arthur sadly was killed in action on the 6th of September 1914 during the second day of the battle of Marnes in the town of Noyers.    The First Battle of the Marne or known in France as the Miracle on the Marne was a battle of the First World War fought from 5 to 12 September 1914. The German army invaded France with a plan for winning the war in 40 days by occupying Paris and destroying the French and British armies (Allies/Entente). The Germans had initial successes in August. They were victorious in the Battles of Mons and the Frontiers and overran a large area of northern France and Belgium. In what is called the Great Retreat the Germans pursued the retreating Franco/British forces more than 250 km (160 mi) southward. The French and British halted their retreat in the Marne River valley while the Germans advanced to 40 km (25 mi) from Paris. During this battle 250,000 French serviceman were killed or wounded, and 12,733 British serviceman were killed or wounded.    About the two framed medals:    The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 was a French military decoration, the first version of the Croix de Guerre. It was created to recognize French and allied soldiers who were cited for valorous service during World War I, similar to the British mentioned in dispatches but with multiple degrees equivalent to other nations' decorations for courage.   The Médaille militaire is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, after the Legion of Honour, a civil and military order, and the Order of Liberation, a Second World War-only order. The Médaille militaire is therefore the most senior entirely military active French decoration.   This will be sent via Parcelforce express 24 and dispatched within two working days.