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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: orourkea on Saturday 28 May 16 21:15 BST (UK)
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A relation of mine was awarded the 'Decoration Militaire (From Belgium). He was in the 10th Corps Cyclist Battalion, Army Cyclist Corps. That he received the award is noted in the War Diary for April 1919 while he was stationed in Bonn as part of the British Army of the Rhine. It was also announced in the London Gazette of the 21.08.1919. Why would a British soldier receive such an award from Belgium? No information is given in the records mentioned above other than he was awarded the medal. Is there a corresponding medal index for Belgium similar to that for the UK?
While he was a Sgt and Acting Company Sgt Major many others non commissioned servicemen seem to receive the award.
Just hoping someone can offer information and clarity in relation to the circumstances surrounding the award of this medal.
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As it was an alliance all members gave their medals to all other members of the alliance as a way of cementing the alliance. Senior awards were given to senior officers by the Belgian general staff. But most foreign awards to British soldiers were selected by British officers. There is a theory that a foreign awards were awarded to soldiers who had missed out on a British gallantry award.
Ken
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The awards could be made for either individual gallant acts or cumulative meritorious service. In some cases - particularly the Russian cross/medal of St George - this was also in conjunction with a British award. This award is frequently found alongside recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and other awards.